Is one of these two sentences ‘more correct’ than the other?
- Can I ask you a few questions?
- May I ask you a few questions?
There is a widespread view that using can to ask for permission is wrong and that it should only be used in expressions to do with ability or capability, e.g.:
- Can she swim?
- Can you speak Italian?
But the ‘permission’ use of can is correct in standard English.
The only difference between the two verbs is that one is more polite than the other.
In informal contexts it’s acceptable to use can; in formal situations it would be better to use may.
Image: Source From Oxford Dictionaries Online
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arobotunicorn reblogged this from amandaonwriting and added:
Sometimes I feel that non-native speakers of English know more about grammar than native speakers.
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cydwong reblogged this from amandaonwriting and added:
Suck it my grade 3 teacher for not letting me go to the washroom because I used ‘can’ instead of ‘may’!
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