Can - Could - May - Three modal verbs

 

The three modal verbs used to ask for (or give) permission are: Can (casual) Could (polite) May (formal) Can is the most informal, and may is the most formal. Could is in between. It can sound a little rude or impolite to use can if you are in a formal situation or do not know the person you are talking to very well. May specifically refers to what is allowed. In other words, it talks about what the rules say is okay, or what the person being asked feels is okay. This is the most polite and correct way to ask permission, and to give it. For example, a reporter who is interviewing someone will try to be as polite as possible. She doesn’t know the person she is interviewing, and she wants to show respect. She says: “May I ask you some questions, please?”  She will not say, “Can I ask you some questions?” This is too informal! The person responds: “Yes, of course you may.” This is because the person being interviewed doesn’t know her, either. He also wants to be polite! Remember that the most formal way to ask for permission or to give permission is with may. May is an important modal verb in English. It has additional useful meanings. Make sure you know it well and use it properly.