Can I.... vs. May I.....

[laepelba]

Growing up in an American, English speaking household, and being raised by a mother who fancies herself a grammarian ... and as a teacher in English speaking
American public schools, I have heard many times the following conversation:

"Can I do.....?"
"I don't know, can you?"
"Grrr.... Okay, MAY I do....."
"Yes" (or, "no")

In Spanish, if I am seeking permission to do something, would I say "can" or is there a word for "may"?

"¿Puedo aparcar mi carro allí? Es más facil para mi mamá a caminar."
(May I park my car there? It's easier for my mother to walk.)

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Growing up in an American, English speaking household, and being raised by a mother who fancies herself a grammarian ... and as a teacher in English speaking
American public schools, I have heard many times the following conversation:

"Can I do.....?"
"I don't know, can you?"
"Grrr.... Okay, MAY I do....."
"Yes" (or, "no")

In Spanish, if I am seeking permission to do something, would I say "can" or is there a word for "may"?

"¿Puedo aparcar mi carro allí? Es más facil para mi mamá a caminar."
(May I park my car there? It's easier for my mother to walk.)

In Spanish does not exist another word for that "may". Both translate to poder. Although there is always a smarty who will answer you the same way your mother did.

¿Puedo pasar?

¿No sé, puedes?

So to sum it up, in English you should not use "can" to ask for permission, but in Spanish is the same word, "poder".

[laepelba]

Gracias! Así es suficiente.

[Fazor]

Ha. I do that to Tara (my g/f) all the time. "Can you hand me my phone." "Yes, I can." . . . "Will you hand me my phone?" "Oh! Sure. Here."

But that's just because it bugs her. I say "Can I?" to ask for things too.

[CrOtALiTo]

I have the same question.

When I need to do some question.

I have to write Can, could, may for instance.


May I realize the fix of the computer today.

Could I realize the fix of the computer today.

Can I realize the fix of the computer today.

I know that the last one is the most normal using the word Can for in the first two question.

Which are they the more correct?

I appreciate your support.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

I have the same question.

When I need to do some question.

I have to write Can, could, may for instance.


May I realize the fix of the computer today.

Could I realize the fix of the computer today.

Can I realize the fix of the computer today.

I know that the last one is the most normal using the word Can for in the first two question.

Which are they the more correct?

I appreciate your support.

I don't understand what you're trying to say in English. Maybe you should ask the question in Spanish and a Spanish-speaker can answer you.

[Fazor]

@Crotalito:

Take this advice for what it's worth, I'm no grammar teacher. But. . .

"Could", "may", and "can" are tricky to use in English. When starting a sentence with "May I ... ?", you are asking for permission to do something. "Can I" or "Could I" are less formal, but can also be asking permission. A second meaning for "Can I?" or "Could I?" is when asking if something is possible.

(Asking permission)
"Can I borrow your computer while I attempt to fix it?"
"Could I borrow your computer while I attempt to fix it?"
"May I borrow your computer while I attempt to fix it?"
All of the above are acceptable, but "May I" is the most polite / formal way to say it.

(Asking about the possibility)
"Can I fix the computer without the CD?"
"Could I fix the computer without the CD?"
Either would work, but "Can I" is the most common, at least around my parts.

Could, can, and may have many other uses too.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Fazor

(Asking permission)
"Can I borrow your computer while I attempt to fix it?"
"Could I borrow your computer while I attempt to fix it?"
"May I borrow your computer while I attempt to fix it?"
All of the above are acceptable, but "May I" is the most polite / formal way to say it.

(Asking about the possibility)
"Can I fix the computer without the CD?"
"Could I fix the computer without the CD?"
Either would work, but "Can I" is the most common, at least around my parts.

Could, can, and may have many other uses too.

Sorry - I hate to disagree, (remember that I'm a school teacher....) "Can I..." and "Could I...." when asking for permission may be acceptable in one's living room or when one is hanging out with friends. But it is not correct use of the English language. I would never, ever, ever say "Can I do ....." to my boss. I would expect to hear his opinion of the incorrect use of the English language by a professional with a Master's Degree..........

[Fazor]

Originally Posted by laepelba

I would expect to hear his opinion of the incorrect use of the English language by a professional with a Master's Degree..........

Hah, the look on his face might be good. It's one of those differences between situations; I'd really think it'd sound wierd if my friend asked "May I have something to drink?" Just seems to stuffy for that type of situation.

You almost never hear anyone use "May I" on the street though. At least, I almost never hear it. The kind of city I live in isn't exactly known for being particularly well educated though. The average phrase around here is more like, "Can I take one of them there calanders?"

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Fazor

You almost never hear anyone use "May I" on the street though. At least, I almost never hear it. The kind of city I live in isn't exactly known for being particularly well educated though. The average phrase around here is more like, "Can I take one of them there calanders?"

Sorry, I disagree. "May I" is perfectly normal speech in the UK for anybody whom I care to associate with. I mean for anybody with whom I care to associate.

[Fazor]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Sorry, I disagree. "May I" is perfectly normal speech in the UK for anybody whom I care to associate with. I mean for anybody with whom I care to associate.

Ah, yes but just because the English language is named after England doesn't mean they speak English over there! (I bet reading our 'American English' makes you UK'ers cringe!)

I was reading an article today from 'The Sun'. It sounded so weird!

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Fazor

Ah, yes but just because the English language is named after England doesn't mean they speak English over there! (I bet reading our 'American English' makes you UK'ers cringe!)

I was reading an article today from 'The Sun'. It sounded so weird!

You bet it does. And 'The Sun' is for people with no vocabulary, so it really is weird.

[laepelba]

I worked a part time job in a ticket box office for a performing arts theater once when I was a new teacher (moonlighting). I asked a patron something like "Can I have your last name, please?" To which I received a huge long lecture about the proper use of the English language. I have been super sensitive about that particular grammar point since then.

[Fazor]

Well then, I'm forced to amend my advice, and instead say to listen to Laepelba and Perikles; use "May I" when asking for / asking permission for something.

[laepelba]

May I suggest, Fazor, that you do what works for you, and for where you live and conduct your daily activities.

[Fazor]

Originally Posted by laepelba

May I suggest, Fazor, that you do what works for you, and for where you live and conduct your daily activities.

Usualmente lo es más bien. That really doesn't sound right to me. "Usually that is best."?

Cuando aprendo español, soy más interesado en la 'lengua de las calles' . . . ¡pero no quiero insultar alguien!

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Fazor

Usualmente lo es más bien. That really doesn't sound right to me. "Usually that is best."?

Cuando aprendo español, soy más interesado en la 'lengua de las calles' . . . ¡pero no quiero insultar alguien!

En mi aprendizaje del español, quiero una combinación de los ambos. Quiero usar la lengua correctamente. Pero, en el mismo tiempo, no quiero sonar como un libro de texto (o manual, o curso....)

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

En mi aprendizaje del español, quiero una combinación de los ambos. Quiero usar la lengua correctamente. Pero, en el mismo tiempo, no quiero sonar como un libro de texto (o manual, o curso....)

It is a difficult balance. Some time ago I learned German. One day, a German who didn't know me said (in German) "you are not German, are you?" I said, "no, I'm not". "Ha" he said "I knew you couldn't be German because you don't make any mistakes".

You really know a language when you know which mistakes you should make.

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by Fazor

@Crotalito:

Take this advice for what it's worth, I'm no grammar teacher. But. . .

"Could", "may", and "can" are tricky to use in English. When starting a sentence with "May I ... ?", you are asking for permission to do something. "Can I" or "Could I" are less formal, but can also be asking permission. A second meaning for "Can I?" or "Could I?" is when asking if something is possible.

(Asking permission)
"Can I borrow your computer while I attempt to fix it?"
"Could I borrow your computer while I attempt to fix it?"
"May I borrow your computer while I attempt to fix it?"
All of the above are acceptable, but "May I" is the most polite / formal way to say it.

(Asking about the possibility)
"Can I fix the computer without the CD?"
"Could I fix the computer without the CD?"
Either would work, but "Can I" is the most common, at least around my parts.

Could, can, and may have many other uses too.

Thank you fazor for your answer.

Only I want to do a little modification in the text.

May I realize the reparation of the computer today.

Only I exchanged the word fix for reparation.

I believe that the second choice is more acceptable.

Then May and Can, they together can be more polite than Could.

You have clarified my doubt.

Leapelda.

Why don't you never understand my questions?


I'd like to knowing it, so I can fix my mistake.

Or perhaps I can know where I'm wrong.

[laepelba]

And to be honest, even when using English, I try to avoid making what others would consider "acceptable" mistakes. I'm the nerd who proofreads every single e-mail I send, even those to my closest friends ... just to make sure that my spelling, grammar, and wordings are correct. Sometimes I'll use a slang term like "gonna" or "hafta" or something like that, and then go back and change it because I don't like the sound of it coming from me. LOL! Like I said ... NERD! But, seriously, I would like my Spanish usage to parallel that of my English in that sense. To err on the side of correct grammar/usage over the street slang, but not to the point of sounding toooooo stuffy.