What is the difference between can and possibility?
While can talks about the possibility of an event in the present situation, could is used to express a slight possibility or the possibility in the past.
Can we use may in place of can?
May is the more formal word, and if you are at all concerned about being tut-tutted, a safe choice. Can is now the verb of choice for ability, and both can and may are still used in the “possibility” sense. You may use can if you wish, and you can use may if it makes you feel better.
Is May and can the same?
May is used to express possibility or ask permission. Can is used to express ability and informally used to ask permission.
What is the difference between may and might in possibility?
Here is the breakdown: Use “may” when something is more likely to happen. Use “might” if something is less likely to happen or in a hypothetical situation.
Can and May in a sentence?
Can – The physical or mental ability to do something. For example; “Can you play the violin?” May – Authorization or permission to do something. For example; “May I please use your stapler?”
Where we can use can and could?
Can, like could and would, is used to ask a polite question, but can is only used to ask permission to do or say something (“Can I borrow your car?” “Can I get you something to drink?”). Could is the past tense of can, but it also has uses apart from that–and that is where the confusion lies.
What is possibility in Modals?
Must, may, might, can’t and couldn’t are used with a present perfect verb form to show how certain a speaker is that a past situation happened or didn’t happen.
Shall vs CAN May?
“Shall” is also used in singular and plural subjects in both second and third person. “May” is another modal verb that is used in the present tense. Its use is often in the second person and when the subject is singular in nature. In terms of context, both “shall” and “may” are used in formal occasions.
When to use can?
Can is also used to suggest something might happen in the future (“If you finish your homework, we can go to the movies.”). Can, like could and would, is used to ask a polite question, but can is only used to ask permission to do or say something (“Can I borrow your car?” “Can I get you something to drink?”).
When we use can?
Can permission sentences?
Permission
asking for permission | formal/polite? | giving permission |
---|---|---|
Can I ask you a question? | informal | Yes, you can. Yes, you may. Yes, you could. |
Could I use your phone? | more formal/polite | |
May I use your phone? | even more formal/polite |