Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

muni · Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 176

I don't have a pen

Can I have your pen? (if I want to borrow pen from someone)

please correct these sentences
love
Muni

Cayenne · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 4:52 am Post subject:

Sentence #1 is correct.

Sentence #2 makes sense, but it's not exactly correct. You should say:
May I borrow your pen?

If you say "can", it means your asking if you are able to borrow the pen, or if you have the ability to. If you say "may", it means you already know that you have the ability to, you're just asking if you have permission.
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