____ I help you? |
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Votes: 391
Comments: 5
Added: November 2004
| MrTrilby - 1st February 2006 12:12 |
| Yet another poll that needs a "both" option. It's contexual: "May I help you?" is better when one sees someone doing something that they seem to need help with (moving a piano, struggling with luggage); speculatively (as when a customer is approached by a shop assistant), "Can I help you?" is better, but both would be acceptable. |
| Martin - 2nd May 2006 03:47 |
| Nothing is gramaticlly wrong with either however the meanings of both are different. "Can I help you?" litterally mean "Do I possess the ability to help you?" where as "may I help you?" means "Would you allow me to help you?" |
| arnquist - 1st October 2006 20:58 |
| 'Can' sounds more natural in spoken American English, which makes 'may' sound more polite. |
| YHL - 21st September 2007 14:51 |
| They are both correct, but used in different circumstances. Can - when you are unsure the person is in difficulties. May - whether the person is in difficulties want any assistance |
| arizona mildman - 2nd August 2009 14:16 |
| It is two different questions, one is asking permission, "May I?", and the other is asking if I have the ability to help you, "Can I?" |
