Question
Updated on
16 Jul 2021
- Japanese
-
English (US)
Closed question
Question about English (US)
What is the difference between May I ~? and Can I ~? and Could I ~? ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between May I ~? and Can I ~? and Could I ~? ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
Answers
16 Jul 2021
Featured answer
- English (US)
- Thai
May >> Could >> Can
from more formal to less formal
May
1. possibility
- He may become the next prime minister.
- We may go to Maldives to spend holiday.
2. polite permission or request
- May I come in? (asking)
- You may go now. (giving)
Could
1. asking for permission
- Could I borrow your book?
2. polite request
- Could you say it again?
3. ability in the past
- Alex could play tennis when he was 7 years old.
4. possibility
- It could rain tomorrow morning.
Can
1. ability/inability
- I cannot sing at all but I can play the piano very well.
2. informal permission
- Can I leave now?
3. informal request
- Can I have a cup of tea?
4. possibility
- Anyone can have access to the web.
Was this answer helpful?
Read more comments
- English (US)
"May I go to the bathroom?" = Asking for permission/ polite
"Could I go to the bathroom?" = Asking for permission/ less common
"Can I go to the bathroom?" = Asking if you have the physical ability to go to the bathroom. To this, sometimes people will jokingly say "I don't know, can you?"
Was this answer helpful?
- English (US)
They are mostly the same, but "Could I~" and "May I~" are more formal or polite than "Can I~"?
Was this answer helpful?
- English (US)
- Thai
May >> Could >> Can
from more formal to less formal
May
1. possibility
- He may become the next prime minister.
- We may go to Maldives to spend holiday.
2. polite permission or request
- May I come in? (asking)
- You may go now. (giving)
Could
1. asking for permission
- Could I borrow your book?
2. polite request
- Could you say it again?
3. ability in the past
- Alex could play tennis when he was 7 years old.
4. possibility
- It could rain tomorrow morning.
Can
1. ability/inability
- I cannot sing at all but I can play the piano very well.
2. informal permission
- Can I leave now?
3. informal request
- Can I have a cup of tea?
4. possibility
- Anyone can have access to the web.
Was this answer helpful?
- Japanese
- Japanese
- Japanese
@Pixie_Wimai Thank you for explanation in detail ! Which one do you use the most?
- English (US)
- Thai
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
Sign up
Related questions
Similar questions
- What is the difference between May I ~ ? and Can I ~ ? ?
- What is the difference between Can I ~ and May I ~ ?
- May i write a sentance like following " To remit money to someone" Give me some opinions about ...
Recommended Questions
- What is the difference between The people sitting in priority seats on trains may have invisible ...
- What is the difference between count .v and matter.v ?
- What is the difference between I asked a question about you. and I asked a question of you. ?
- What is the difference between wage and salary ?
- What is the difference between refreshment and drink and beverage ?
Topic Questions
- What is the difference between He threw a ball to her and He threw a ball at her ?
- What is the difference between "grab dinner" and "have dinner" ?
- What is the difference between have to and must ?
- What is the difference between The old lady seems to be 75 years old. and The old lady looks to ...
- What is the difference between run away and get away ?
Newest Questions
- What is the difference between He threw a ball to her and He threw a ball at her ?
- What is the difference between Nice to meet you and Nice meeting you ?
- What is the difference between yearn and long and crave and pine ?
- What is the difference between out and outside ?
- What is the difference between letter and envelope ?
Previous question/ Next question
Thank you! Rest assured your feedback will not be shown to other users.
Thank you very much! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.