can have vs may have

Both 'can have' and 'may have' are correct and commonly used in English. They are often interchangeable, but 'may have' can sometimes imply a higher level of formality or politeness compared to 'can have.' The choice between them depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 982 views

The phrase 'can have' is correct and commonly used in English. It indicates the ability or possibility of having something.

"can have"

Use 'can have' to express the ability or possibility of having something. It is often used in everyday conversations and informal contexts.

Examples:

I can have a piece of cake after dinner.
You can have the last slice of pizza.
She can have a break after finishing the task.
They can have a meeting tomorrow.
He can have a new car if he saves enough money.

Show examples from the web [+]

Whoever needs money can have it.
Vitamin D deficiency can have serious consequences.
You can have Halloween off this year.
You can have Peter, Chummy.
They can have a degenerative effect.
Viruses can have unforeseen consequences for those using computers.
Such a relationship can have positive social values.
Discrimination can have different consequences for men and women.
In some people, hypnosis can have an extreme effect.
You can have one of them.
He can have his hot tamale and eat it, too.
But not everyone can have a bed and breakfast.
You know, Special K can have that effect.
A driving and turning signal can have multiple functions.
And each kid can have their own room.
You can have that listing if you want it.
You can have a department dedicated to electrical music.
Then he can have an attractive family later.
I can have her all day tomorrow.
He can have my first paycheque.

Alternatives:

could have
might have
should have
would have
is able to have

The phrase 'may have' is correct and commonly used in English. It indicates a possibility or permission to have something.

"may have"

Use 'may have' to express a possibility or permission to have something. It can convey a sense of formality or politeness in certain contexts.

Examples:

She may have forgotten about the meeting.
You may have a seat while you wait.
He may have left his keys at home.
They may have finished the project by now.
I may have misunderstood the instructions.

Show examples from the web [+]

This equipment may have a heater to control the temperature.
His involvement may have worse consequences than thought.
Your perception of what happened may have been distorted.
Officer safety may have been compromised.
They may have arms and ammunitions.
Some patients also may have radiation therapy and/or bone marrow transplantation.
Your local orchid society may have super thrive available for purchase.
The version number may have changed.
Internally each world may have other layers.
Firefox users may have two issues with this approach.
Mailboxes may have a limited storage capacity.
TGA may have multiple etiologies and prognoses.
Parabolic partial differential equations may have finite-dimensional attractors.
This behavior may have privacy implications.
The European Ombudsman may have the answer.
Larger kitchens may have a stronger influence over suppliers.
Such differences may have safety implications.
Children with the condition may have difficulty swallowing.
Forensics may have posted something by now.
I may have exaggerated for dramatic effect.

Alternatives:

might have
could have
is allowed to have
is permitted to have
is possible to have

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can have vs may have

"can have"

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