May and Can: Which one should I pick

Question

I want to know if I should use may or can for this sentence:

**Can** I borrow your book
**May** I borrow your book

I want to know which is more suitable in the context of politeness.

Does this answer your question? Difference between "can" and "may" — niamulbengali, Feb 05 '21 at 08:28

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 05 '21 at 08:31

0

May is more polite.

Can is - colloquial, for lack of a better word, and far more popular among the masses. Should be said with a smile, though, to compensate.

answered Feb 05 '21 at 08:31

Ricky

It sort of help but I would also like answers with more examples – Đαrkraι Feb 05 '21 at 08:50
In my early schooldays, if we said to a teacher "Can I go to the toilet?" the response was usually "You can, but you may not". The question had to be correctly asked to get permission. – Michael Harvey Feb 05 '21 at 09:04
@Darkrai - this question has been closed because it has already been asked and answered. – Michael Harvey Feb 05 '21 at 09:06

1 Answers1