Question

Difference between may and can.​

Answer 1

Answer:

Can: used in present tense, physical and mental ( ability / capacity), friendly request, friendly permission, anger prohibition

Like: can I take your pen?

May:respect, strong possibility, wish, pray, curse, purpose.

Like:we study so that we may get a job.

Answer 2

Answer:

May is used to express possibility or ask permission. Can is used to express ability and informally used to ask permission.

Explanation:

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.