1. Permission or Ability:
- "May" is often used to seek or grant permission. It implies that one has the authority or authorization to do something. For example:
- "May I borrow your pen, please?"
- "Can" is used to express ability or capability. It indicates that someone is physically or mentally capable of doing something. For example:
- "Can you lift that heavy box?"
2. Possibility or Likelihood:
- "May" is used to express possibility or likelihood. It suggests that something is probable but not certain. For example:
- "It may rain later today."
- "Can" is not typically used to convey possibility or likelihood. It focuses more on capability or ability rather than probability.
3. Formality:
- "May" is considered more formal and polite, especially when seeking permission or making requests.
- "Can" is less formal and more commonly used in everyday speech and informal situations. It is often used when talking about ability or asking for assistance.