can, may Definition

can¹
verb could (past tense)

1. To be able to

Example: Can you lift that?
2. To know how to.

Example: He can play the guitar
3. To feel able to; to feel it right to

Example: How can you believe that?
4. Used to express surprise

Example: Can it really be that late?
5. Used to express a possibility.

Example: The weather can change so quickly in the mountains
6. To have permission to

Example: Can I take an apple?
7. Used when asking for help, etcSee also cannot, can't, could, couldn't.

Example: Can you give me the time?

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon cunnan to know.

Info:

○ Essentially, can denotes capability or capacity, and may denotes permission or opportunity. Because these two sets of meaning constantly overlap, the two words have become highly interchangeable, with can more versatile than may &wbox; &wbox; In both these examples, may is also possible.

○ Both can and may are used to denote what is probable or habitual &wbox; &wbox; When capability or capacity is predominant, can is used &wbox; &wbox;