How Can You Tell Where Diapers Were Purchased

The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts. Can is usually used in standard spoken english when asking for permission. Despite the insistence by some, that can means only "to be able'' and may means "to be permitted,'' both are regularly used in seeking or granting permission:

Can (or may) i borrow your tape recorder? You use can to indicate that someone is allowed to do something. You use cannot or can't to indicate that someone is not allowed to do something.

Can i really have your jeans when you go? Can you call back tomorrow? See examples of can used in a sentence.

Definition of can modal verb in oxford advanced american dictionary.