May vs. Can: Know When to Use Each in Conversation 👇

Beginner Level | June 20, 2025

Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

Have you ever been unsure whether to say may or can? You’re not alone! Many beginner English learners find these two words confusing. But don’t worry—once you understand the difference, you’ll feel more confident in both casual chats and business conversations. This article will help you master may vs. can so you can sound natural and polite.

Let’s break it down so you can use may and can correctly at work and in daily life.

May vs. Can: The Basic Difference

Can is usually about ability.
May is about permission or possibility.

For example:

Can: I can speak English. (ability)
May: May I leave early today? (asking permission)

When to Use Can

Use can when you want to talk about what you or someone else is able to do.

I can finish this report today.
She can join the meeting at 3 p.m.

In casual situations, people often use can instead of may to ask for permission.

Can I borrow your pen?

It’s fine in everyday conversation, especially with colleagues or friends.

When to Use May

Use may when you want to sound polite or formal, especially when asking for permission.

May I ask a question?
May I sit here?

You can also use may to talk about possibility.

We may need to reschedule the meeting.
It may rain this afternoon.

Real-World Business Examples Using May vs. Can

Imagine you’re in a meeting:

Can you share the update? (asking about ability or availability)
May I suggest an idea? (asking permission politely)

Or writing an email:

May I confirm the details of our appointment? (polite request)
Can we schedule a quick call? (checking availability)

Quick Tip

If you’re not sure which to use:

👉 Can = ability / casual permission
👉 May = formal permission / possibility

When in doubt at work, choose may for extra politeness. Remember, practicing may vs. can will help you sound more professional in conversations.

Vocabulary List

Ability (noun) — The skill or power to do something.
Example: She has the ability to solve problems quickly.
Permission (noun) — Approval to do something.
Example: I need permission to access that file.
Possibility (noun) — Something that might happen.
Example: There’s a possibility of rain tomorrow.
Reschedule (verb) — To change the time of something.
Example: Let’s reschedule the meeting for next week.
Suggest (verb) — To offer an idea or plan.
Example: May I suggest a new approach?
Polite (adjective) — Showing good manners or respect.
Example: He is always polite during meetings.
Formal (adjective) — Following rules or customs, especially in official situations.
Example: She uses formal language when writing to clients.
Casual (adjective) — Relaxed, informal.
Example: We had a casual chat at lunch.
Colleague (noun) — A person you work with.
Example: My colleague helped me finish the project.
Request (noun) — The act of asking for something.
Example: He sent a request for more information.

5 Questions About the Article

When should you use can?
When should you use may?
How can you use may in a business email?
Why might you choose may instead of can?
Give an example of using can in a question.

5 Open-Ended Discussion Questions

Do you use may or can more often at work?
How do you feel when someone uses may with you?
Why is politeness important in business communication?
Can you share a time when you asked for permission at work?
How can learning small differences like may vs. can help your English?

📢 Want more tips like this? 👉 Sign up for the All About English Mastery Newsletter! Click here to join us!

Follow our YouTube Channel @All_About_English for more great insights and tips.