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may I have some water? vs can I have some water?

Both "May I have some water?" and "Can I have some water?" are correct and commonly used in English. They are polite ways to ask for water, with a slight difference in formality. "May I have some water?" is considered slightly more formal than "Can I have some water?"

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 8345 views

may I have some water?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is a polite way to ask for water. It is considered slightly more formal than "Can I have some water?"
  • Oct 20, 2022 ... But, putting aside intonation and just looking at the words, I'd rank the following in terms of most to least polite: May I have some water?
  • Mar 7, 2018 ... ... May I have some water, please?''. But then I told this friend that "May I have some water?'' would require the teacher to go and get the ...
  • Mar 19, 2018 ... But, putting aside intonation and just looking at the words, I'd rank the following in terms of most to least polite: * May I have some water? * ...
  • May 31, 2018 ... "I'll have the swordfish is fine" but: "May I have some water?" or "May I have a glass of the [wine]" is still the way to ask the server ...
  • Jul 12, 2024 ... Joker - "May I have some water?" Proceeds to smash the glass, slit a henchman's throat, steal his gun, and shoot all the other henchmen in ...
  • May I have some water when you come back to the table?” Absolutely. It's become a kissing cousin to the word Obviously, which people use when something is ...
  • Sep 19, 2022 ... ... will bring your drink to you, you would say, "May I have a glass of water?" or "May I have some water?" Upvote 2. Downvote Award Share.
  • Sep 26, 2020 ... "May I have some sandwiches?" An unspecified number of a countable noun = Correct. "May I have some water?" An unspecified amount of an ...
  • Apr 15, 2016 ... Is the use of 'some' here incorrect? PS: I found many sentences where 'some' is used in this construction : Please, may I have some water in a ...
  • Aug 4, 2014 ... "Could/may I have some water, please?" "Could/may I have some more water please?" Very informally, with friends, you might use "Pass me the ...

Alternatives:

  • Could I have some water?
  • Might I have some water?
  • Would it be possible to have some water?
  • Is it okay if I have some water?
  • Is it alright if I have some water?

can I have some water?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is a polite way to ask for water. It is slightly less formal than "May I have some water?"
  • Feb 21, 2020 ... = Can I have some water? D'eau = of water. Puis-je avoir une bouteille d'eau? = Can I have a bottle of water? And eau is just water. In ...
  • Jan 6, 2017 ... Synonym for can i have some water @tjstkdn I would say the first one is more formal while get is informal|In addition to what ...
  • Aug 9, 2015 ... Can I have some water, please? ... In Stupid Things Presenters do I described the irritating habit of some speakers to pick up a glass or bottle ...
  • Sep 7, 2020 ... ... Can I have some water please? This would be used in a situation where the person you a speaking to would get the water. For example asking ...
  • Oct 20, 2022 ... Can I have some water? I want some water. Give me some water. The last two are demanding. The first three are ...
  • Oct 11, 2024 ... Me: “Please can I have some water in my bottle” JetBlue flight assistant: “I can't pour water in your bottle because of the splash back.
  • Jun 2, 2015 ... Answer: Surgery scheduled for 11 AM, can I have some water in the morning? In our practice, it is acceptable to drink water six hours prior ...
  • May 7, 2017 ...Can I have some water?” questions whether it is possible for me to have some water. I feel sure there's a physical way. ”Would” and “may” are ...
  • Mar 2, 2011 ... nevermind, can I have some water and a shot of 151? Posted by Brandon Alsups. My father-in-law gave me this for my birthday about a year ago ...
  • Nov 10, 2011 ... For Egyptian Arabic: "Please can I have some water?" ممكن كُبَّاية مَيَّة مِن فضلك/لو سمحت. "Please could I have a new computer?

Alternatives:

  • Could I have some water?
  • Would it be possible to have some water?
  • Is it okay if I have some water?
  • Is it alright if I have some water?
  • May I have some water?

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