Can I? Could I? May I?
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- Опубліковано 31 тра 2024
- Should you say “Can I”, “Could I”, or “May I”? Learn exactly when to use each expression to ask questions politely in English. Be confident and correct when you ask permission or make a request in different situations: informal, semi-formal, or formal. Find out how to match your question and answer with the context. These modal questions are extremely common in English, which is why this is such an important lesson. Don’t miss it!
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TRANSCRIPT
Hi. I'm Rebecca from engVid. In this lesson I'm going to show you three simple ways that you can ask a polite question in English. Okay? Now, usually when we're asking a question, it's we're asking if we can do something or we're asking permission, or we're asking someone else to do something for us, in which case we are requesting that they do something. All right? And there are three key words that you can use for this purpose, but in different ways. So, let's look at what they are. All right.
So, those three words are: "can", "could", and "may". Now, of course, you've heard those words before and I'm sure you use them as well, but let's be really sure when to use which one. So, it's very easy. We use "can" in more informal situations. All right? What do I mean by "informal"? For example, with your family or friends. All right? We use "could" in more semi-formal situations. "Semi-formal" means a little bit formal. For example, with your colleagues, people you work with. Right? With your hairdresser perhaps, with a salesperson in a store. All right? There we could use "could" so we kind of know that person or we don't know that person too well, but it's not a very formal situation. And the last is in formal situations when we use "may". So, what's a "formal situation"? Well, for example, if you're talking to a client, or a customer, or you're at an interview, then you want to be on your best behaviour, use your best manners, be very polite, be very formal and proper, and that's when we use "may".
Now, there is a little difference in terms of the grammar of how we use these three words. So, with "can" and "could", we can use those two with all of the pronouns. So, we can say: "can I", "can you", "can we", "could they", "could he", "could she", "could it". All right? Can use those with all of the pronouns. But when we come to "may", we can only use it with "I" or "we". All right? "May I do this?" or "May we" - you can't really ask permission for somebody else so much, so this is... These are the two ways we use "May". All right? Sometimes you might hear it with one or two other pronouns, but really, these are the most common. All right? So that's what you want to be able to use so you can always be 100% right.
Now, let's look at the same question and how it's different with the three words. All right? So, let's say I'm at home and I ask someone from my family: "Can I have some orange juice?" All right? So, there I'm using "can" because it's really informal. Now let's say I'm at the mall, I'm at the food court and I'm ordering some juice, so I say: "Could I have some orange juice?" All right? Slightly more formal. And now let's pretend that we're in a fancy restaurant and I'm ordering orange juice, so then I say: "May I have some orange juice?" Okay? Now, you could add the word "please" also, but with some of these it's already very polite, so you don't have to go overboard, you don't have to do too much, you don't have to always say "please", especially when you're asking for yourself. Okay? If you're requesting something that someone else do, then often we do add the "please" as well. Okay?
Now, what are some of the responses? We're not really focusing on the responses in this lesson, but let me just tell you what would be the appropriate responses-positive responses and negative responses-to these questions. So, if someone said: "Can I have some orange juice?"-informal-the answer might be: "Sure, here you go." Or: -"Could I have some orange juice?" -"Yes, of course." -"May I have some orange juice?" -"Certainly." Okay? So you see that the formality of the question matches the formality of the answer.
If it was negative: -"Can I...?" -"Sorry, we're all out." -"Could I...?" -"I'm sorry, we're all out." -"May I...?" -"I'm afraid we're all out." Okay? Same basic information, but represented quite differently. So now let's look at some more examples.
All right. So, informally, we could say: "Can I help you wash the dishes?" That would be a really nice thing to say to someone. Okay. All right. Or: "Can you clear the table, please?" Now, you see here because I'm requesting something of someone else, it's perfectly nice and fine to say "please" at the end. Okay? "Can you clear the table, please?" What does that mean: "Clear the table"? […]
Thanks for watching. It can be tricky to ask questions in English, so I hope this video makes your life a little easier. All the best!
I would like to ask when to use the s word with and without apostrophe.. Thank you..
Hi Rebecca, this topic is very helpful to me. Now I can understand how to differ the three words for any circumstances and for different people. As usual, your explanation is very clear and concise. Congratulation!
Nice
May I ask a question teacher? I had learned from someone before that, may is use for something formal and can is use for capability.Please lighten me up hehehe.
Could I say, Could you please connect me to the Sales Department?
When I was in elementary, I raised my hand and asked the teacher “CAN I go to the restroom?”, and the teacher replied “Yes, you CAN but you MAY not.” And from that on, I know exactly how to use CAN and MAY.
Yes, this used to be a bone of contention in my childhood, too (with both parents and teachers).
I lived in both England and New Zealand (if that makes a difference), and it was seen as poor English or even mildly bad manners to say "Can I?" ... and "Could I?" was frowned upon too. You stood the chance of being ridiculed if you said, for example "Can I have a piece of cake?" as the answer might come back as "You CAN ... it's a POSSIBILITY ... but no." ... and the same with "could". It would invariably be "May I have a piece of cake?"which would be your highest chance of success ... and much more so if a "please" was added at the beginning or end! I'm afraid can/could were looked down on as Americanisms, and not the done thing at all. Because this was instilled in me, I continue to wince at "can/could" to this day, and only "may" sounds nice to my ears.
You are the best teacher in my english learning.thank you very much
You are such a wonderful teacher, thank you so much!!!!
You are welcome
Fantastic teaching experience 👍👍🙏
cvyjvjv
Thanks a lot madam.. It is a very useful lesson
I truly appreciate you for wonderful teaching free on you tube
Very clear and no nonsense approach. You speak Very calm and focused. Other UA-cam teachers speak so fast as if they are trying to catch a plane.
Feels like i have Wasted my life in my school and college, not getting this kind of teaching in depth. Now i will not waste it further. Thankyou teacher.
You are my best teacher. Thank you.
You are the best english teacher in the world.
Best teacher i have ever came across ever since i started learning on UA-cam.
I do love your videos . They are clear and go directly to the points . As an English learner , your sample answers to the questions with can/ could/ may respectively are very helpful for understanding formal and informal, and , I will use ' may' only with the first person afterwards. Thank you so much.
You're the best English teacher I ever see
May God bless you Teacher. Much respect
I simply love your videos which range beyond general queries and tutoring ! Thanks
I finally understand the difference between can and may until watching this video. It is so useful to me. Thank you
Hi, Rebecca. Thank you so much for being a virtual mentor to me. Your videos are of such great help, as we have a Korean girl staying with us for a year and I am teaching her English. While teaching her, I am also learning from you and deepening my own English grammar and usage. Am from the Philippines. More power to you!
Hi, Rebecca. Thank you so much for being a virtual mentor to me. Your videos are of such great help, as we have a Korean girl staying with us for a year and I am teaching her English. While teaching her, I am also learning from you and deepening my own English grammar and usage. Am from the Philippines. More power to you! 9:48
Hello Rebecca 😊Your explanations are wonderful ,your accent is so clear ,you are polite rather a lot. I am an English Teacher in Istanbul and teaching English online. Your videos are feeding me and are improving my self -confidence to be much more productive for my students. Many many thanks for your efforts 🌹One day, if you visit İstanbul ,,please be informed me. It will be wonderful to have coffee together with the view of Bosphorus 😊🌹
Thank you for all theses informations and how to implement them in a different situations
I always sit at Last row of my school and college... because I can't speak English fluently..I fare to teacher...but now days something else.. happen with me..I speak English fluently.. teacher said...it is only for u mam... you are a source of inspiration... Thank you mam🖤
Thank you Teacher ❤I’m grateful for your instructions 😊
Ma'am, I like your classes. Thank you.
Thank you for the amazing lessons, Rebecca.
wow amazing. You're gifted how to teach with a good smile. May God bless you.
After watching lots of videos.. This one helped me to clear my doubts.. Tq
Hy ma'am..i got much impressed with your efforts. And I learnt much from u..u are really an excellent teacher. God bless you
Great Teaching and Great Teacher
Very Genuine, Polite & Simple style to Convey your voice to your audience.
I have learnt much from your engvids.
You are real meaning of professional teacher. Awesome.... God bless you teacher
This class helped me much ma'am.... Thnx for that... I was wondering about how to use but now i know well..
You are gracious and peaceful.Thank you ,u are wonderful Teacher.God bless u
🙏🙏🙏 thank you very much. I learned a lot today. Very well explained very clear and with very good examples.
Mam ur explanation is soo nice. This is very helpful for me cuz I always mistake on grammar. But it will help me to improve my mistake. Mam ur handwriting is also so nice
Thanks from Egypt:) you are the best teacher
Perfect. I can't thank you enough. Keep it up please
People like you are an inspiration for a better world! Unlike other youtubers you are not pretentious, teaching us in a simple, direct and very didactic way. Stay that enlightened person you are!
Perfect !! Thank you !!
Ma'am, ur way of teaching is really understandable and interesting
I luv your lessons because always straight to the point and clear pronunciation
I learned something new in this video. I am a Filipino and I am having difficulty in some parts of English grammar. This a great help. Thank you very much.
Your teaching is outstanding and easy to understand, it helps to develop English and become fluent in English!
Thanks a lot teacher
Thanks for your amazing services I've learned from you every day, I am very grateful to hear your incredible voices, and you're excellent teacher, thank you for your great time!
Really helpful. Thank you teacher Rebecca. 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
Thanks Mrs. I really learned it with your explanations, everything is clear for me now.
Thank you madam for your excellent teaching..
PRADYUMNA BEHERA you’re *
@@no-life4438 no your
Ma'am please make videos on regular basis so that we can get to learn many things.
Thanks madam! could I have more additional video of your lectures?
Thank you much, very enriching please .
I wish to have an English Teacher like you
Thank for teaching grammar.it’s very helpful.I fell more comfortable to speak English with American . You’re a great English teacher
WOAH,this helps a lot of people. Thank you ma'am.
I really appreciate all your classes, thank you very much!
Am Isaac thanks for your reply
I am thankful for your very comprehensive teaching..
Hello Rebbacca, it's pleasure to meet you and love your smile while explaining...I hate English classes...but know I love you teaching...
i like your lessons it really helps me thank you so much
OMG! Teachers never taught me about this!! Thank you!
They taught you. Maybe you are not make attention 😊
just im joking with you
You are such a wonderful teacher. Thank you very much.
This video really helps me understand when I am supposed to use can or could. Thanks much.
You are one of the best teachers I have ever seen. Who knows how to teach in a convenient way to the people like us who are not native speakers of English.
Hi , Teacher
And thanks you too for this lesson .Never known the difference .
Thank you for teaching us! I like it!
Such a wonderful english teacher❤.... I haven't met before.... in my whole life .Thank you very much.
Thank you so much. this is productivity. appreciate it
How are you
This was an excellent lesson, thank you. 🙂🌹
You are very less to be praised you are very good hearted and true teacher God bless you and give you long life🌹🙏
Thank you rebecca, everything is clear and you teach in a simple way. I think you have a crucial attitude to share with us a sensitive state of mind. That is a great skill for a teacher! ( I hope I didn't write horrible mistakes!)
Thank you
Ma'am....I love your style of teaching. I am learning with ease from your lectures, so simply explained. Thank you.
Marvellous lesson. You are the be-all and end-all. I would have said: might I ( very formal and polite)
Thanks a lot you are the best teacher in engvid
You are the best teacher.thank you dear Rebecca.i like your lessons.your explaining is great
I really love the way you explain .. Tnk you
Love the way you explain the usage of the grammar. It's simple and easy to understand. I will definitely share and encourage many to follow your tutorial.Thank you so much.
Explanations are so clear. Thank you very much!!!
Super Teacher and I am so glad in order to know these polite requests
I learned a lot,thank you for being a good teacher💖
I love u!! Im from indonesia❤
Your so great, teaching the proper way of english❤❤❤
You are one of the best teacher thank you very much
I learned a lot on this. You're such a good Teacher.
Hii Rebecca mam....I don't know how and where to use "can,could,would, should,might,may" in a sentence correctly....please do video about that.... I'm waiting for that
Thank you so much madam Rabeca for your lessons. I'm improving each n every day
You are the best! Thanks a lot for your classes 👍🏻
I have taken the screenshots of all writing's on the board, I hope my sentence is grammatically correct ma'am. 😊
Thank you for your lesson!
Thanks dear rebeca,I can easily understand from your lessons, you are a very good teacher
Wow! Your teaching skill is superb you've just impacted my knowledge. Thanks ma'am.
Thank you so much for letting me know how to pronounce those words ma'am 👌you're the best
Thank you so much for this superb lesson, it really helped me a lot. Well done :)
Thank you so much for this superb lessons,it really helped me a lot.
So easy to understand. I'm really enjoying for this lesson .Tq teacher.
Thanks for teaching me this! It helped me even though i'm in elementary school
There is just one thing slightly incorrect, to my knowledge, about the use of the word can/could and may. Perhaps it is a slightly antiquated use of English, but "may" is used for a request and "can" and "could" are you physically able? For example: "can I use the toilet?" - "I don't know, can you?!" Is a joke used on students at school. The correct form being "may I use the toilet?" (Am I allowed to use the toilet?) Not "can/could I use the toilet?" (Am I able to move my body to the toilet?)
Thought so too.
As a educated, native speaker of American English, I can confirm that you are correct. The distinction you describe is what I was taught in grade school.
If someone asks, "Can I use the toilet?" you might reply, "I don't know. Can you? Are you toilet trained?"
Where you read, "That document may be used," it means use of the document is permitted but not mandatory.
But in spoken English, you rarely hear _may._ "
@@herrickinman9303 Agree with you. That's what I was taught in school.
showing 'Ability' of doing something is just an aspect....but we cannot deny the fact that 'Can' can also show asking for permission
She is a good teacher for me . I understand all types of Grammer .such a beautiful teacher.
Rebecca, you are very polite, thank you.
4:29 this really cracked me up! hahahaha you're funny 😂
The best teacher ever.♥️😘 every minute I'm pressing like on the video😂 to prove you that i got it and love it ♥️
Yes! Let'go leaning English! Thank you teacher! Brazil!
I taught that english is a difficult language to speak and for Understanding after seeing your videos I learnt english a lot and iam able to speak English tq so much mam ☺
Wow! I have just learned it now. Thank you teacher😁
I was taught that can is an ability to perform a task. For example: "I can run the sprint in two minutes". May is asking permission to do something. "May I have some orange juice?"
It’s true but we shouldn’t forget that CAN/COULD have several meaning:
1 ability (I could read when I was four years old
2 possibility due to circumstances (I can see the mountains from my window when it’s not foggy)
3 impossibility (He can’t be that cruel = it’s impossible that he is so cruel)
4 asking for permission (informal)
I hope my comment can help))
You are the best Teacher.
Thank you Rebecca, you´re so very nice teacher.
I was always wondering why people that I ask "Can I take this" answer me "Yes, you may".
The reason is that they are trying to nicely correct you. I would say "I don't know; don't you think you can lift it?" "Can" is used for ability, may for permission 1st person. Most people use "can" incorrectly, including myself sometimes.
@@rayober2273 I like that " the ability and permission"....!
Can I take this,yes I can this answer good.
'Can I...?' and 'May I...?' are actually two different questions. I think this lesson is actually misleading.
Have I been doing it wrong for saying "Can I submit my paper on Monday?"
It's not wrong. Depends on who you are requesting to. And if it is your teacher who is close to you is alright. But in any case it would be better to say "May I submit my paper on Monday? because you want them to help you. So politeness is best.
Thank you for make me understand, Those 3 informal, semi-formal & formal
Situations ...