Can - May

Use can and may with all the pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) when you want…

Answers
* …to ask for permission
Affirmative Negative

Use negative contractions: Can I close the door? Yes, you can. No, you can’t.
can not = can’t/cannot Yes, you may. No, you may not.
may not (no contraction)
May I open the windows?

* …to ask for clarification.

Can you repeat that? Yes, I can. No, I can’t.

May you say that again? Yes, you may. No, I may not.

You can use the expressions Pardon? or I beg your pardon? to ask for clarification.
 Let’s practice
Complete with can or may.

a) Can you say it again, please? Of course!

Use negative contractions:

b) Can you repeat this test, Teacher? Yes, I ________
can not = can’t/cannot
may not (no contraction)
c) ________ you open the door, Karina? Sorry, Mom, I can’t.

d) Excuse me, _______ I go out? No, you may not.

e) Can I close the window? Yes, you _______

f) Dad, ________ I go to a party? Sorry, you can’t.

g) May I sit down? Yes, you _______.