Module 4: Mastering Modal Verbs - Lesson 4.5: Modal Verbs of Permission: CAN, MAY, and COULD (Permission)

Lesson 4.5: Modal Verbs of Permission - CAN, MAY, and COULD (Permission)

In this lesson, we will focus on how the modal verbs CAN, MAY, and COULD are used to express permission in English. These modals are essential for asking for and giving permission, but they each carry different levels of formality and nuance. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for communicating appropriately in various social situations.

Modal Verbs for Permission: CAN, MAY, and COULD

CAN, MAY, and COULD are all used to talk about permission, but they differ in formality and the nuance they convey:

CAN (Permission): Used for giving and asking for permission in informal situations.
MAY (Permission): Used for giving and asking for permission in formal situations. Often considered the most formal of the three for permission.
COULD (Permission): Used for asking for permission in polite situations. Softer and more tentative than "Can" or "May" for requests.

The choice between these modals depends largely on the context, your relationship with the person you are speaking to, and the level of formality required.

CAN - Permission (Informal)

CAN is the most informal modal verb for permission. It is commonly used with family, friends, people you know well, or in casual situations where formality is not required.

Key Uses of CAN (Permission):

Asking for Permission (Informal): To ask if it is okay to do something in informal contexts.
Giving Permission (Informal): To grant permission in informal contexts.
Refusing Permission (Informal): To refuse permission in informal contexts.

Forming Sentences with CAN (Permission):

The structure is:

Asking for Permission: Can + I/we + Base Verb? or Can + you + Base Verb? (Less common to ask permission *from* "you" using "Can you...?" - usually a request for ability, but context matters)
Giving Permission: You/He/She/We/They + can + Base Verb. or Yes, you/he/she/we/they can.
Refusing Permission: You/He/She/We/They + cannot/can't + Base Verb. or No, you/he/she/we/they cannot/can't.

Examples of CAN (Permission) in Use:

Asking for Permission (Informal):
- "Can I borrow your pen?" (Informal request from a friend or classmate)
- "Can we use your phone?" (Informal request, e.g., children asking a parent)
- "Can I sit here?" (Informal request, e.g., in a casual setting)
- "Can we come in?" (Informal, e.g., knocking on a friend's door)
Giving Permission (Informal):
- "Yes, you can borrow my pen." (Informal granting of permission)
- "Of course, you can use my phone." (Informal, relaxed permission)
- "Sure, you can sit here." (Informal, casual permission)
- "You can come in!" (Informal, welcoming permission)
Refusing Permission (Informal):
- "No, you cannot borrow my notes, I need them." (Informal refusal - direct but not rude in casual context)
- "Sorry, you can't use my laptop right now." (Informal refusal - polite but clear in casual context)
- "You can't sit there, it's reserved." (Informal refusal - stating a rule casually)
- "You can't come in here, it's private." (Informal refusal - setting a boundary casually)

MAY - Permission (Formal)

MAY is the most formal modal verb for permission. It is typically used in more official or polite situations, especially when speaking to superiors, elders, or in formal written communication.

Key Uses of MAY (Permission):

Asking for Permission (Formal): To ask if it is okay to do something in formal or polite contexts.
Giving Permission (Formal): To grant permission in formal or official contexts.
Refusing Permission (Formal): To refuse permission in formal or official contexts (less common than other modals for refusal, "must not" or "cannot" often preferred for strong prohibition).

Forming Sentences with MAY (Permission):

The structure is:

Asking for Permission: May + I/we + Base Verb? (Almost exclusively used with "I" or "we" for asking permission)
Giving Permission: You/He/She/We/They + may + Base Verb. or Yes, you/he/she/we/they may. (Often in official announcements or formal instructions)
Refusing Permission: You/He/She/We/They + may not + Base Verb. or No, you/he/she/we/they may not. (Formal refusal, but less common than other modals for strong refusal).

Examples of MAY (Permission) in Use:

Asking for Permission (Formal):
- "May I ask a question, please?" (Formal request to a teacher, boss, etc.)
- "May we leave the room?" (Formal request, e.g., in a meeting or class)
- "May I speak to the manager?" (Formal request, e.g., to a receptionist)
- "May I have your attention, please?" (Formal request, e.g., addressing an audience)
Giving Permission (Formal):
- "Yes, you may ask a question." (Formal granting of permission)
- "You may leave the room now." (Formal permission, e.g., by a teacher or supervisor)
- "You may proceed with the experiment." (Formal permission, e.g., in an official setting)
- "Students may use the library after class." (Formal rule or general permission)
Refusing Permission (Formal - Less Common for strong refusal):
- "No, you may not park here. It is a restricted area." (Formal refusal, but "must not" or "cannot" are stronger for prohibition)
- "You may not take photographs in the museum." (Formal rule, but "must not" is stronger for prohibition) - "May not" is used for formal statement of rules, but for direct refusal, other modals are often preferred if strong refusal is needed.

COULD - Permission (Polite Requests)

COULD is used for asking for permission in a polite and tentative way. It is less formal than "May" but more polite than "Can." When used for permission, "could" often functions more as a very polite request, softening the directness of asking for permission.

Key Uses of COULD (Permission):

Asking for Permission (Polite Requests): To make a polite and less direct request for permission. It implies tentativeness and politeness.

Forming Sentences with COULD (Permission):

The structure is:

Asking for Permission: Could + I/we/you + Base Verb? (Used with "I," "we," or "you" for polite requests)

Examples of COULD (Permission) in Use:

Asking for Permission (Polite Requests):
- "Could I borrow your car tomorrow?" (Polite and tentative request - softer than "Can I...")
- "Could we have a look at the menu, please?" (Polite request in a restaurant)
- "Could I leave a message?" (Polite request to a receptionist or on voicemail)
- "Could you help me with this, please?" (Very polite request for assistance - softening the request)

Negative and Giving Permission with COULD for Permission:

While "could" is excellent for polite requests for permission, it is not typically used for *giving* or *refusing* permission directly. For giving permission, use "can" (informal) or "may" (formal). For refusing permission, use "can't/cannot" (informal) or "may not/must not" (formal).

You can use the negative form "could not/couldn't" to express past inability (as we learned in Lesson 4.2), but not typically to refuse permission in the present.

CAN, MAY, COULD for Permission: Key Differences - Formality and Politeness

CAN: Informal permission. Use with friends, family, casual situations.
MAY: Formal permission. Use in official contexts, with superiors, when being very respectful.
COULD: Polite Requests for permission. Use to soften requests and be tentative/polite. Primarily for *asking* permission.

Choosing the right modal for permission depends on the social situation and the level of formality and politeness you want to convey. Using "May" when "Can" is appropriate might sound overly stiff, while using "Can" in a formal situation could be considered too casual or even rude. "Could" is your go-to for polite and softened requests for permission.

Key takeaway: CAN, MAY, and COULD are all used for permission, but differ in formality and politeness. CAN is informal, MAY is formal, and COULD is for polite requests. Choose the modal that best suits the social context and your desired level of politeness when asking for or giving permission. Next, we will explore Modal Verbs of Obligation and Necessity: MUST and HAVE TO!