Difference Between Can and May

Can vs May
 

Understanding the difference between can and may is important as can and may are two words in the English language that are often confused as one and the same as far as their connotations are concerned. It is not the case. Actually there is a great difference between the two words, namely, can and may. Can and may are both used as verbs and nouns. Both can and may have their origins in Old English. Both may and can be used in making requests. However, may is more appropriate in formal situations than can. Let us have a look at the other differences between can and may.

What does Can mean?

The word can is generally used in the sense of higher possibility as in the following sentences.

I believe he can do it.

He can win the race.

In both the sentences given above, you would see that the word can is used in the sense of greater possibility of the occurrence of an event or happening. In the first sentence, what is suggested is that there is a higher possibility of the person doing some kind of act. In the second sentence what is suggested is that there is a greater possibility of an athlete winning the race.

On the other hand, the word can is used at the beginning of a sentence to form a question as in the sentence,

Can you do it?

In this sentence, the word can makes you think whether the person has the ability to do it.

The word can gives the meaning of be able to as in the sentence,

I can eat fast.

It also gives the meaning of know how to as in the sentence,

Can you speak French?

It conveys the idea of potentially capable of as in the sentence,

You can do it if you give it a try.

It rarely gives the sense of permission too as in the sentence,

Can we attend the class today?

What does May mean?

On the other hand, the word may suggests a lower possibility of the occurrence of some event or happening. Observe the two sentences given below:

He may come to the office today.

I may call you in one hour.

In both the sentences given above, the word may is used in the sense of lower possibility. In the first sentence, you tend to understand that there is a lower possibility of the person coming to the office today whereas in the second sentence you tend to understand that there is a lower possibility of the person calling somebody in the next hour.

Sometimes the word may is used in the sense of a request or permission as in the sentence given below.

May I come in, sir?

In this sentence, you get the suggestion that the person is trying to get the permission to enter into a room or hall in a house.

Moreover, the word may expresses possibility as in the sentence,

It may be true.

It may be used in the sense of expressing a desire as in the sentence,

May he live long enough to see his grandson.

What is the difference between Can and May?

• The word can is generally used in the sense of higher possibility. On the other hand, the word may suggests a lower possibility of the occurrence of some event or happening.

• May is used in the sense of a request or permission.

• Can is used at the beginning of a sentence to form a question.

Thus, the usages of both the words can and may are to be carefully observed and befittingly used.