You're a child and you formally ask a teacher for permission to leave the room.
May I leave the room? / Could I leave the room?
You ask your mum for permission to go to a party tonight.
Can I go to the party?
Tell your child that hypothetically, she has permission to have another ice cream.
You can have another ice-cream.
Ask a friend for permission to use her phone.
Can I use your phone?
Tell someone that she has permission to take a bottle of water into the exam. You're a teacher speaking to a student formally.
You may take a bottle of water into the exam.
Ask your friend if you have permission to borrow some money.
Can I borrow some money?
Ask for permission to attend the meeting. You're feeling very polite.
May I attend the meeting?
You tell your colleague that hypothetically he has permission to come in later tomorrow.
You could come in late tomorrow.
You tell your friend that there is a rule against wearing jewellery at work.
You can't wear jewellery at work!
You're the teacher. Explain that the rule is that everyone has permission to miss one class.
You could miss one class.
Tell your daughter that she has permission to stay out until midnight.
You can stay out until midnight.
You're at a restaurant and you need a chair.
Could I take a chair?
