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Might / Could / May / Can I inquire if you are the owner? ( Permission).

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Latest post Tue, Jun 3 2008 12:57 PM by Marius Hancu. 1 replies.
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Jesusengland  +  522406 Tue, 03 Jun 08 12:44 PM
 Hello.

What is the difference in meaning?

-  Might / Could / May / Can I inquire if you are the owner? ( Permission)

Thanks. 
Jesusengland
Joined on Wed, Jan 9 2008
Spain
Full Member 194
Marius Hancu  +  522408 Tue, 03 Jun 08 12:57 PM
The most natural is "may." 

Might/may is about permission, might more polite, but also more old-fashioned.

Could/can has been adapted to express permission, many don't think that's correct (it more naturally shows ability).  

Read some of the postings by CalifJim in:

http://www.englishforums.com/search/advanced.htm?q=user%3acalifjim+might+could
Marius Hancu
Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006
Veteran Member 11,673
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