People are often uncertain about whether there is any difference between can and may when these verbs are used to ask for or grant permission.

當(dāng)動(dòng)詞can和may用來表達(dá)請(qǐng)求或授予許可時(shí)，人們常常不確定這兩個(gè)詞是否存在不同。

看看下面兩個(gè)例子是否有不同：

Can I ask you a few questions?

May I ask you a few questions?

Can常用于與能力或技能相關(guān)的疑問句中，如：

Can she swim?
她會(huì)游泳嗎？

Can you speak Italian?
你能說意大利語嗎?

May可以表示推測(cè),意為“也許,可能”.如：

She may be at home. Let’s go to see her.
她可能在家，我們?nèi)タ纯此伞?/div>

用作請(qǐng)求時(shí)：

The? difference between the two verbs is that one is more polite than the other. In informal contexts it’s perfectly acceptable to use can; in formal situations it would be better to use may.

這兩個(gè)詞語的區(qū)別就是一個(gè)詞語（may）比另一個(gè)（can）更為禮貌。在非正式的場(chǎng)合使用can是完全可以被接受的，在正式場(chǎng)合則使用may更為合適。

因此，上面兩個(gè)句子都是正確的，只是使用may會(huì)更正式和禮貌一些。

小測(cè)驗(yàn)：選擇正確的詞語

1.____?I use your eraser?

can?? may

2.____you play the piano?

can?? may

?

答案：Can/May(更正式)；Can