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Jin
what is the difference between 'Can I get...' and 'May I have...' ?
Mar 8, 2017 8:18 AM
Answers · 4
3
"May I have" is very polite.
"Can I get" is casual.
May I have another piece of cake?
Can I get two tickets to the concert?
March 8, 2017
2
In British English - 'May I have' is correct. (obviously followed by a 'Please') May I have a glass of water please?
'Can I get' is more an informal American term, and can come across in the UK as rather impolite, depending on it's usage.
March 8, 2017
1
In natural conversations there isn't much of a difference! "May I have..." is more polite, however most people will just say "Can I get..." Both mean asking for something, and have the same meaning :) "Can I get..." is more natural in almost any case. But if you're in a more formal setting, use "May I get..."
Some examples:
1. Can I get a glass of water?
2. May I have a glass of water?
March 8, 2017
1
"May I have..." is considered to be really polite. If you are talking to a stranger and want to be polite then you can say this.
"Can I get..." is just the normal way of saying you want something.
e.g. The difference between "Can I get a glass of water?" and "May I have a glass of water?" is just politeness
March 8, 2017
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Jin
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
English
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