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Can, could or may?

from English Grammar Today

Possibility

When we talk about possibility, we use can, could and may, but they are different in
meaning.

Compare

It can be dangerous to cycle This expresses what the speaker believes is a

in the city. general truth or known fact, or a strong possibility.

It could/may be dangerous to This does not express a general truth. The speaker
cycle in the city. is only expressing a weak possibility.

It’s dangerous to cycle in the This expresses a real fact using the present simple.
city. The speaker is certain and no modality is used.

See also:
 Could
 May

Permission

We use can, could and may to ask for permission. We use can and may, but not could,
to give permission. May is less common:

Compare
 giving
asking for permission formal/polite? formal/polite?
permission

Yes, you can.

Can I ask you a
informal Yes, you may. informal
question?
Yes, you could.

Could I use your more

formal/polite
phone? formal/polite

May I use your

phone?

A: I was wondering if I could borrow the

company van for a fundraiser this weekend.

B: Sure, I think that would be possible. Where

is the fundraiser?

A: It is in the park downtown.

B: Would you need it for both Saturday and

Sunday?

A: We will need it for Saturday only.

B: I think that would be OK. Who will be
driving it?

A: Mary and I will be driving the van.

B: Could you drop it off on Sunday night?

A: Yes, we can do that. Can we borrow the

chairs from the lunchroom also?

B: Yes, that would be fine. Just make sure that

everything is returned by Sunday night.

2
Repeat

A: Our unit is participating in a fundraiser this

weekend and would like to borrow the van, if
possible.

B: I would need to check on that. Where is the

fundraiser?

A: It will be at the beach by the pier.

B: What day will you need it for?

A: We will only be needing it for Sunday.

B: Maybe that could work. I need to know who

will be driving it.

A: The only two drivers will be Mary and I.

B: If I give you the keys to the garage, could

you bring it back on Sunday evening?

A: Sure. We also would like to use the chairs

from the lunchroom. Would that be OK?

B: OK, but make sure that everything is back by

Sunday night at the latest.
3
Repeat

A: Could we borrow the company van for a

fundraiser this weekend?

B: That would be a possibility. Where is this

fundraiser taking place?

A: It is in the hotel ballroom down the street.

B: Do you need it for the whole weekend?

A: We will need it for both days.

B: We will need to know who will be driving

the van.

A: The van will be driven by Mary and me.

B: It needs to be back on Sunday night. Can you
arrange for that?

A: Yes, no problem. Would you mind if we

borrowed a few of the chairs from the
lunchroom?

B: Just keep track of everything and get it all

back where you took it from by Sunday
evening.