Fill in the blanks with may or can.
1............... I come in?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Can" and "May" are both used to ask for permission, but "May" is more formal.
2She ............... arrive in the afternoon, but she is not sure yet.
Wrong!
"May" shows that her arrival is possible but not certain.
3............... I talk to the manager?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Can" and "May" are both used to ask for permission, but "May" is more formal.
4She ............... walk because she has broken her leg.
Wrong!
"Cannot" shows that she is not able to walk.
5Who ............... it be?
Wrong!
"Can" is natural in the question "Who can it be?" when asking about identity.
6That girl ............... be his sister.
Wrong!
"May" shows that it is possible she is his sister.
7............... you do me a favor?
Wrong!
"Can" is the natural choice when asking someone to do a favor.
8She ............... support our idea; she has not decided yet.
Wrong!
"May not" means it is possible that she will not support the idea.
9You ............... make an omelet without breaking eggs.
Wrong!
"Cannot" is used here to show that something is impossible.
10............... we trust him?
Wrong!
"Can" asks whether it is possible or safe to trust him.
11He ............... speak French; he never learned it.
Wrong!
"Cannot" shows that he is not able to speak French, because he never learned it.
12They ............... discover our secrets, but we can't be sure.
Wrong!
"May" shows that discovering the secrets is possible but not certain.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- Can / May I come in?
- She may arrive in the afternoon, but she is not sure yet.
- Can / May I talk to the manager?
- She cannot walk because she has broken her leg.
- Who can it be?
- That girl may be his sister.
- Can you do me a favor?
- She may not support our idea; she has not decided yet.
- You cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs.
- Can we trust him?
- He cannot speak French; he never learned it.
- They may discover our secrets, but we can’t be sure.