Micro-listening
Can or may: Ability and permission
Can or may: which should you use?
Use 'can' for present ability and informal permission; use 'may' for uncertain future events and formal permission. For example, 'Can I use your charger?' is a natural everyday request, while 'May I join the discussion?' sounds more formal. Put either modal directly before the base verb, without 'to'.
Key points
- Use 'can' for skills, strength and everyday permission.
- Use 'may' for uncertain specific events and formal requests.
- Put 'can' or 'may' before the base verb.
- 'May not' can express doubt or formal prohibition.
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
At a glance
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 'can' for ability | A person or thing has present ability or capacity. | Leah can repair bicycles. |
| 'may' for possibility | A specific future event is possible but uncertain. | The parcel may arrive tomorrow. |
| 'can' for informal permission | Ask for or give permission in everyday situations. | Can I open the window? |
| 'may' for formal permission | Make a polite request or state official authorisation. | May we enter the laboratory? |
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
The full explanation
Can indicates that a person has the skill, strength, or opportunity to do an action. In everyday speech, it also asks for and grants permission. May indicates that an event has a chance of occurring in the future or that an action is permitted according to formal rules and polite requests.
Elena can operate the lab equipment without supervision.
Why it works: Can expresses Elena's trained skill and technical ability.
2 more examples
-
The afternoon delivery may arrive after five o'clock.
May expresses an uncertain possibility because the exact delivery time is unknown.
-
May I review the budget proposal before tomorrow's meeting?
May I makes a polite, formal request for permission in a workplace context.
Read the full guide
Distinguish personal ability from chance
Before selecting a modal verb, identify whether the sentence describes a real capability or an uncertain future event. When you say someone can finish a task, you focus on their skill and available time. When you say someone may finish a task, you show that the completion is possible but not guaranteed. Confusing these two words can make a promise sound like a guess.
-
Marcus can translate this document into Spanish.
Why it works: Marcus has the language skill required to complete the translation.
-
Marcus may translate this document into Spanish if his schedule allows.
Why it works: The translation is one possible event that depends on Marcus's schedule.
Your turn
Which sentence explains that Sarah possesses the skill to design websites?
Answer: Sarah can design websites for local businesses.
Show the answer
Answer: Sarah can design websites for local businesses.
Can shows personal capability or acquired skill, whereas may only indicates an uncertain possibility.
Express learned skills and physical capacity
Use can to talk about general ability, learned talents, and physical power in the present. You do not need to add any helping words like to or be able to when using this modal verb. Simply place can before the base form of your verb. May is never used in standard English to describe a learned skill such as swimming, coding, or speaking a language.
-
Sonia can analyze financial statements quickly.
Why it works: This sentence highlights Sonia's professional competence and training.
-
Heavy machinery can lift these concrete pipes easily.
Why it works: Can expresses the mechanical strength and physical capacity of the machine.
You can practise this again in Repair inspection fee and quote and For example: planning a shared kitchen.
Your turn
Choose the correct sentence to describe an engineer's technical ability:
Answer: Devon can write complex database scripts.
Show the answer
Answer: Devon can write complex database scripts.
Can directly precedes the base verb to indicate learned technical ability, without using the word to.
Indicate uncertain outcomes and future possibilities
Choose may when you want to describe an event that has a realistic chance of happening, even if you are not completely certain. Weather forecasts, travel delays, and project schedules frequently rely on may to communicate caution. Using can in these situations can sound like you are stating a general scientific fact rather than assessing a specific upcoming situation.
-
The flight may depart thirty minutes late because of ground fog.
Why it works: May warns travelers about a specific, probable delay based on current weather.
-
Our team may release the software update on Thursday morning.
Why it works: Thursday is a target date, but unexpected bugs could alter the schedule.
Your turn
Which sentence best expresses uncertainty about tomorrow's weather?
Answer: It may rain tomorrow morning according to the news.
Show the answer
Answer: It may rain tomorrow morning according to the news.
May expresses a realistic possibility about a specific upcoming event without claiming complete certainty.
Request everyday permission in relaxed settings
In modern daily conversation, native speakers almost always use can to ask for or give permission. You will hear this pattern in coffee shops, casual offices, and family homes. Traditional grammar teachers once insisted that can only meant physical ability, but modern usage fully accepts can as a friendly, natural way to ask if an action is permitted.
-
Can I borrow your charging cable for an hour?
Why it works: A relaxed request for permission between coworkers or friends.
-
You can leave your jacket on the chair by the door.
Why it works: Gives permission informally in a social setting.
Your turn
Why is 'Can I sit here?' standard in a modern cafeteria?
Answer: It is standard because everyday spoken English uses can for natural permission requests.
Show the answer
Answer: It is standard because everyday spoken English uses can for natural permission requests.
Modern spoken English regularly uses can to make clear, natural requests for permission among peers.
Ask for permission with formal courtesy
When you speak to a client, an interviewer, or a senior executive, choosing may creates polite professional distance. Questions starting with May I show respect and caution. While Can I is never rude, May I signals that you respect established hierarchy or formal etiquette. Notice that we rarely ask May you in English; the polite question almost always begins with May I or May we.
-
May I suggest an alternative approach to this contract?
Why it works: May I frames the suggestion respectfully in a professional negotiation.
-
May we schedule a brief follow-up call next Tuesday?
Why it works: The speaker asks permission politely on behalf of a group.
Your turn
Select the most polite question to open a job interview discussion:
Answer: May I ask a question regarding the department structure?
Show the answer
Answer: May I ask a question regarding the department structure?
May I is the conventional formal question used to ask permission respectfully in professional interviews.
Understand official regulations and written policies
Written rules in handbooks, legal agreements, and public notices frequently rely on may to grant formal authority. When an employee handbook states that workers may take personal leave, it grants official authorization. Conversely, when a sign states that unauthorized personnel may not enter, it delivers a strict legal prohibition rather than a guess about the future.
-
Conference attendees may enter the auditorium fifteen minutes before the keynote.
Why it works: The organizer grants official authorization through formal written guidance.
-
Visitors may not bring glass containers into the botanical garden.
Why it works: May not indicates a formal prohibition established by property regulations.
Your turn
What does the sentence 'Tenants may keep one small pet' mean in an apartment lease?
Answer: Tenants have official permission to keep one small pet.
Show the answer
Answer: Tenants have official permission to keep one small pet.
In legal and official documents, may gives formal authorization and sets permissions.
Catch the reduced vowel in spoken sentences
In natural speech, native English speakers rarely pronounce can with the clear vowel heard in cat. Instead, the word weakens to a quick schwa sound, sounding like /kən/. If you listen for a loud, clear vowel, you might miss the word entirely. In contrast, the negative form can't and the modal may retain their full, clear vowel sounds.
-
I can meet you after lunch.
Why it works: The speaker reduces can to /kən/, keeping main stress on the verb meet.
-
We can easily verify the account details.
Why it works: Can is unstressed and short, flowing smoothly into the adverb easily.
Your turn
Why does the word 'can' sound very short in 'I can call you later'?
Answer: Unstressed can weakens to a short schwa vowel in connected speech.
Show the answer
Answer: Unstressed can weakens to a short schwa vowel in connected speech.
In fluent connected speech, can normally takes a weak vowel sound /kən/ unless it carries special emphasis.
Separate negative prohibition from doubtful outcomes
Pay close attention to negative sentences, because cannot and may not create completely different meanings. Cannot signals that something is impossible or forbidden by direct authority. May not can express formal prohibition in rules, but in ordinary sentences it often expresses doubt about whether an action will happen. Context tells you whether may not forbids an action or simply doubts it.
-
You cannot submit an empty application form.
Why it works: The system prevents submission because an empty form is impossible to process.
-
The inspector may not approve the building permit this week.
Why it works: The speaker expresses doubt about whether approval will happen this week.
Your turn
What does 'The manager may not sign the contract today' communicate?
Answer: It communicates doubt about whether the manager will sign today.
Show the answer
Answer: It communicates doubt about whether the manager will sign today.
In non-regulatory contexts, may not expresses uncertainty about whether an event will take place.
Common mistakes
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
-
Not this:
I can to speak German.Say: I can speak German.
A modal is followed directly by the base verb, without 'to'.
-
Not this:
She may arrives after lunch.Say: She may arrive after lunch.
'May' takes the base form, not the third-person singular form.
-
Not this:
May you borrow my pen?Say: May I borrow your pen?
Formal permission questions normally begin with 'May I' or 'May we'.
Questions about "Can or may: Ability and permission"
Is it rude to ask 'Can I' instead of 'May I' in an English-speaking workplace?
No, using 'Can I' is not rude in most modern workplaces. Colleagues and managers use it every day for routine requests. However, 'May I' adds an extra layer of respect and deference, which makes it particularly suitable when addressing senior executives, outside clients, or during formal interviews.
Can I see that report when you finish reading it?
May I present our quarterly findings to the board?
How does may differ from might when talking about future possibility?
Both modals describe uncertain future events, but may suggests a slightly higher degree of likelihood than might. In practice, English speakers use them almost interchangeably for possibilities, though may sounds a bit more formal in writing.
The train may arrive late due to track inspections.
We might take a holiday in October if flights stay cheap.
Why do 'cannot' and 'may not' have different meanings in negative statements?
The word 'cannot' means that an action is impossible or strictly forbidden. In contrast, 'may not' usually expresses uncertainty about whether an action will happen, unless it appears in formal legal regulations where it serves as an official prohibition.
You cannot enter this room without an electronic pass.
The manager may not approve the overtime request.
Can the modal 'can' express possibility instead of 'may'?
Yes, 'can' expresses general or theoretical possibility, meaning that something is known to happen in certain conditions. In contrast, 'may' describes a specific possibility that might happen in a particular upcoming situation.
Winter storms can cause severe travel disruptions in this region.
A severe storm may strike the northern coastline tomorrow evening.
Before you go
Remember this
Check your purpose before speaking. Use can when talking about learned skills, physical power, and everyday permission among friends. Use may when describing an uncertain possibility or when writing formal guidelines and polite requests.
Stage 2 of 5
Listen
Hear it in real sentences, from short to long, and write what you hear.
0 of 4 done
Listening 1 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
Guests can easily access our swimming pool until sunset.
Can expresses both the guest's physical ability and ordinary permission to use the hotel amenities.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
You may enter our design studio now.
May gives polite, formal permission to cross the threshold into a restricted workplace.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
Visitors can easily reserve quiet desks online, but our security team may ask everyone for identification.
Can describes an easy action available to visitors, while may introduces a possible security check.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
0:00
Read the transcript
New employees can easily register for computer training this morning. Our human resources director may approve additional morning classes soon, so everyone can explore clear options early. Please make sure your supervisor signs your registration form before midday so our team can arrange your security badge without delays.
Can highlights employee capability and registration procedures, whereas may indicates potential schedule expansion.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Practice complete
You listened closely.
Your result is saved in this browser.
Keep your progress. Your practice is saved on this device only. Create a free account to keep it everywhere.
Create a free accountThat was today's free lesson. Tomorrow you get another one. Want more today? See membership.
Create a free SubLearn account to keep this progress across devices.
Save my progressStage 3 of 5
Speak
Say it with the speaker, then use it in your own answer.
Shadow
Say it along with the speaker
Guests can easily access our swimming pool until sunset.
Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.
Your turn
Say it your way
Explain two activities visitors can do in your city and one event that may happen this weekend due to seasonal weather.
Use: can or may: Ability and permission
You could start with “When visitors arrive in my city, they can…”
Think for ten seconds, then answer out loud for as long as the task above asks, without looking at the lesson. Nothing is sent unless you ask for feedback.
0:00
Stage 4 of 5
Write
Write about your own day or week using it, then write a message.
Write
Put it in your own words
- I used “can or may: Ability and permission”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
Write your own response
Choose a situation and write 30–50 words in your own wording. This is separate from typing the exact words in a recording.
Check your own writing
Read one possible response
Use these checks to revise your message. Grammar and meaning are not automatically graded. Each task keeps its own draft in this browser tab.
You finished the free part of this lesson
- Understand
- Listen
- Speak
- Write
- CheckPart of membership
Worth another look
With a free account, the lessons you finish come back for review to help you remember them.Create a free account
Stage 5 of 5 · Part of membership
Check
New clips without hints.
Listening tests are included with membership. Try the free dictation first, then decide whether to continue.
Listening 1 of 2 Part of membership
Listening 2 of 2 Part of membership
Follow MicroEnglish
New lessons, short videos and quick quizzes every day. Pick the app you already use.
Questions & comments
Ask about this lesson, share an example, or help another learner.
Example
Memory tip
Goes with
Related forms
Not to be confused with
In this lesson
This word isn't in our dictionary. Check the spelling, or try another form of the word.
We couldn't load this word. Try again.
