Grammar › Modal Verbs › Permission: Can, Could & May
Permission: Can, Could & May
Can, could and may all handle permission, at different levels of formality:
- Ask — Can/Could/May I…? (can = informal, may = formal).
- Give — You can / You may (not 'could').
- Refuse — You can't / You may not.
'Could' asks politely but isn't used to give permission: 'Could I…?' → 'Yes, you can.' (not 'you could').
Asking, giving and refusing permission
| Function | Words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ask (informal) | Can I…? | Can I sit here? |
| Ask (polite) | Could I…? | Could I borrow your pen? |
| Ask (formal) | May I…? | May I come in? |
| Give | You can / You may | You can go now. You may begin. |
| Refuse | You can’t / You may not | You can’t park here. |
When to use each
1. Ask — choose the formality
- Can I have some water? (informal)
- Could I ask a question? (polite)
- May I leave the table? (formal)
2. Give permission — can / may
- Yes, you can borrow it. Students may use the library after 6.
3. Refuse — can’t / may not
- Sorry, you can’t go in there. Passengers may not smoke.
⚠️ Answer ‘Could I…?’ with can, not could: “Could I leave early?” — “Yes, you can.” (not
you could).
Common mistakes
1. Giving permission with ‘could’. Yes, you could → Yes, you can.
2. Adding ‘to’. Can I to go? → Can I go?
3. Over-formal ‘may’ in casual speech. May I have a coffee? in a café with friends → Can I have a coffee? is more natural.
✏️ Practice: Permission: Can, Could & May
1. ___ I sit here? (informal)
2. ___ I come in? (formal, at an office)
3. 'Could I borrow your charger?' — 'Yes, you ___ .'
4. Sorry, you ___ park here — it's for staff only.
5. ___ I ask you a question, please? (polite)
6. Students ___ use the lab after 6 p.m. (giving permission, formal)
7. Passengers ___ smoke anywhere on the train.
8. Choose the correct version of: 'Can I to leave early today?'
9. 'May I take your coat?' is an example of…
10. Which is used to ASK but not to GIVE permission?
11. Fill in the gap
'Could I borrow your pen?' — 'Yes, you ___.'
Type one word.
12. Correct the mistake
Can I to go home?
Type the whole corrected sentence.
13. Fill in the gap
___ I come in, please? (very formal)
Type one word.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between can, could and may for permission?
They differ in formality: 'can' is everyday, 'could' is a bit more polite for asking, and 'may' is formal. All ask for permission; 'can' and 'may' also give it.
Why can't I give permission with 'could'?
'Could' is used to ask politely, but the answer uses 'can' or 'may': 'Could I leave early?' — 'Yes, you can.' 'You could' would sound like advice, not permission.
How do I refuse permission?
Use 'can't' or 'may not': You can't smoke here; Visitors may not use this door. 'Mustn't' also works for strong prohibition.
Is 'may' too formal for everyday use?
In casual speech, 'can' is normal (Can I have a menu?). 'May' fits formal or polite service contexts (May I take your coat?).
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Permission: Can, Could & May”:
- Can ask permission with can/could/may at the right level of formality (CEFR A2).
- Can give and refuse permission with can/may and can't/may not.
- Can avoid giving permission with 'could'.
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