Can or May?
Can or May?
What is the difference between "can" and "may"?In a polite or formal setting, use "may" for permission. For example:
- May she swim in your pool? (This means "Is she permitted to swim in your pool?" It sounds polite.)
- Can she swim in your pool? (This means the same as the one above. It sounds neutral as opposed to polite.)
- Can she swim? (Is she able to swim?)
- Can she do quadratic equations? (Is she able to do quadratic equations? You cannot use "may" to express ability.)

More about "Can"
The word "can" is an auxiliary verb used to express ability. For example:- I can whistle.
- Can he lift 150 kgs?
- You can stroke the ponies but not goats.
More about "May"
The word "may" is an auxiliary verb used to denote permission. For example:- You can swim in this river.
- May I have a biscuit?
A Quick Joke
This joke plays on the idea that "can" and "may" were not always interchangeable to express permission:
Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?