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Understanding the difference between commonly confused words will help you avoid making errors in English usage. Let’s examine the difference between the following:
can
Can means to be able to: to have the power or skill to do something.
Can you operate a circular saw?
Anyone can learn to quilt.
I’ll visit again tomorrow, if I can. [Meaning, if I’m able to.]
may
May expresses possibility or permission. May is a politer and more formal way of asking permission than can.
May I borrow your lawn mower this week?
It may rain again tomorrow.
I’ll visit again tomorrow, if I may. [Meaning, if I’m permitted to.]Informally, can is often used to ask permission, and is perfectly acceptable in spoken English:
You can use my lawn mower if you need to.
Can I have some dessert now, Mom?Traditionalists, however, feel that can should be reserved for expressions of capability, not permission. You can drive above the speed limit (your car is technically capable of doing so), but you may not (the laws do not allow you to do so).
In the negative, however, we use can’t instead of the very rare mayn’t when requesting permission:
Can’t I go to the movies with Jackie?☛ Here’s memory trick to help you remember the difference between these two words:
U.S. President Obama’s famous catchphrase was “Yes, We Can!” (we’re well able to) not “Yes, We May!” (we have permission to).
Photo credits:
Photo 1: Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
Photo 2: Photo by Erik Mclean from Pexels