Asking for and giving permission with can/may
Subject + can/may + base verb
Subject + cannot/can't / may not + base verb
Can/May + subject + base verb?
💡 May is more formal than can. Use cannot/can't for prohibition; may not is formal/uncertain permission.
✓Can I borrow your pen?
✗Can I to borrow your pen?
No 'to' after modals.
✓You can sit here.
✗You can to sit here.
Base verb after modal.
✓May I come in?
✗May I to come in?
Use base verb after may.