You'll hear both. Some would say that only "may" works because "can" could suggest ability, not permission.
Some would say that only "may" works because "can" could suggest ability, not permission.
Exactly. My dad is the only person I've ever heard use it, and he was born in 1910."May I go now?" is more polite/formal than "Can I go now?" Using "Might I go now?" would suggest you had travelled in time from the start of last century or earlier! I don't know any BrE speakers who would use it these days. My grandfather (born in 1921) would have used it.
I confess I like may for permission, can for ability, and might for probability.But they're wrong- we use can for both- it's misguided pedantry.
See posts 4 and 5.Might I ask why?
I confess I like may for permission, can for ability, and might for probability.
There's a thin line between pedantic and rude.Liking something is fine- we all have our preferences, and my shirt is not unstuffed. The classic example of the pedant's clever answer to the question Can I come in? grates, however.