Can and May: What’s the Difference?

Have you ever asked your teacher, “Can I go to the bathroom?” and heard them say, “I don’t know, can you?” That’s a classic joke teachers make. But it also helps us learn the difference between can and may.

Can is used when we are talking about ability. If you can do something, it means you are able to do it. For example:

• I can swim.
• She can speak three languages.

May is used when we are asking for permission. If you may do something, it means someone is giving you the okay. For example:

• May I go outside?
• May we eat lunch now?

Today, people often use can and may in the same way when asking for permission. But using may is more polite and formal.

Let’s see how Jamal uses can and may in one day.

Jamal’s Day

Jamal wakes up and smells pancakes. He can smell them from his bed! He jumps up. He can dress himself quickly because he practiced last week.

At breakfast, Jamal says, “May I have more syrup, please?” His mom smiles and says, “Yes, you may.”

After eating, Jamal grabs his backpack. He can carry it on his own now.

In class, he raises his hand. “May I sharpen my pencil?”

“Yes, you may,” says the teacher. Jamal walks to the sharpener. He can do it all by himself.

Using can and may the right way shows you are learning and also being polite. You can do both!

Comprehension Questions

1. What does the word can mean? a) To ask for something b) To be able to do something c) To say thank you d) To clean something
2. What does the word may mean? a) To jump high b) To be strong c) To ask for permission d) To run fast
3. Why did the teacher joke, “I don’t know, can you?” a) She didn’t hear the question b) She wanted the student to say “may” c) She didn’t like the student d) She wanted to go to the bathroom too
4. What is something Jamal can do now? a) Make pancakes b) Sleep in class c) Carry his backpack d) Drive a car
5. What is something Jamal asks permission to do? a) Eat more pancakes b) Watch TV c) Sharpen his pencil d) Go home early
6. Which sentence is most polite? a) Can I eat now? b) I can eat now. c) May I eat now? d) Eat now!
7. What does Jamal do after he eats breakfast? a) Goes back to bed b) Watches cartoons c) Grabs his backpack d) Plays outside
8. What can we learn from Jamal’s story? a) Kids should eat more pancakes b) Using polite words is important c) You should never ask questions d) Sharpening pencils is hard
9. Which word is more formal: can or may? a) Can b) May c) Both d) Neither
10. Which sentence uses can correctly? a) Can I the bathroom? b) She can speak Spanish. c) Can I more juice? d) Can I thank you?

Answer Key:

1. b
2. c
3. b
4. c
5. c
6. c
7. c
8. b
9. b
10. b

Glossary

• Ability: What you are able to do
• Permission: Being allowed to do something
• Polite: Being nice and using good manners
• Formal: A way of speaking or writing that is proper and respectful

Something to Think About

Can you think of a time when you asked for permission? Did you say “can” or “may”?

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P.S. If you’re not old enough yet, you might want to ask your mum or dad first — unless you’re secretly the boss of the house!

Tags: #ESL #Grammar #EnglishLearning #PoliteLanguage #Grade6