Zeyaraun  +  161735 Wed, 23 Nov 05 08:58 AM Dear Teachers, "May I use this telephone, please?" "Can I use this telephone, please?" Is the use of "can" considered impolite? Also in the fllowing case: "Could you please lend me some money?" "Can you please lend me some money?" Is the use of "can" okay? Thank you very much. Best regards, Zeyar Zeyaraun Joined on Thu, Nov 10 2005 New Member 14 Regards

	Mister Micawber  +  161801 Wed, 23 Nov 05 02:13 PM Hello, Zeyaraun. Can is acceptable in both cases, but it is more informal than may or could, and should be used with familiar acquaintances, friends or family.  In English, you can never be too polite by using may or could, but there is the possibility of being too abrupt with can, so I always suggest to my students that they avoid the can form, just to be on the safe side. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,805 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

	CalifJim  +  162036 Thu, 24 Nov 05 06:48 AM I would place the level of politeness as follows: May I ...  most polite; use only with a pope, or royalty, or high government officials, or in English class. Could I ... "special" polite; can be used with anyone you don't know in public places such as restaurants, but it is not required.  "Can I ..." will do as well in many cases.  ("Could I ..." is for a more expensive restaurant, let's say!) Can I ...   everday polite; can be used with anyone at any time. I realize that this contrasts with the advice of others above, but it is what I observe in the speech of native speakers in California.  The use of "may" among 99.9% of people I know is restricted to the meaning "it is possible that", i.e., a near-synonym of "might". CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,426 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Synonyms