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may take part vs can take part

Both 'may take part' and 'can take part' are correct phrases in English. 'May take part' is more formal and polite, while 'can take part' is more commonly used in everyday language. The choice between them depends on the level of formality you want to convey.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 782 views

may take part

This phrase is correct and commonly used in formal contexts to indicate permission or possibility.

Use 'may take part' in formal situations to indicate permission or possibility. It is more polite and respectful than 'can take part.'

Examples:

  • Students may take part in the competition if they meet the eligibility criteria.
  • You may take part in the meeting if you wish to contribute.
  • Representatives of the Member State visited may take part in the inspections.
  • Alternates may take part in the meetings of the Board of Directors.
  • The European Commission may take part in consultations on issues of interpretation at the request of any competent authority.
  • In relation to issues of interpretation the Commission may take part in consultations at the request of any of the competent authorities.
  • 4. The chairman may take part in discussions and may vote, but without having a casting vote.
  • The chairman may take part in discussions and may vote, but without having a casting vote.
  • Other Commission officials concerned may take part in the meetings.
  • Only panellists may take part in the deliberations of the Panel.
  • International entities may take part in the implementation of projects of common interest and horizontal measures at their own costs.
  • Legal entities established in third countries and international organisations may take part in all projects at their own expense.
  • Legal entities established in non-EU countries other than those referred to above and international organisations may take part in all projects at their own expense.
  • Officials or agents of the Member State concerned may take part in checks.
  • In relation to issues of interpretation the Commission may take part in consultations at the request of any of the competent authorities listed in Annex I.
  • It may take part in all or part of each committee meeting on its own initiative, as an observer and without any decision-making power.
  • 4. Only firms approved under Article 92 of Regulation (EC) No 1623/2000 may take part in the tendering procedure.
  • 2. Commission officials and other staff may take part in activities organised under a programme in receipt of financing under this Regulation.
  • 2. Representatives of the relevant Commission departments may take part in the meetings of each committee, executive and group.
  • 10. Representatives of Member States concerned by a request for transit may take part in the conciliation procedure as observer.
  • Member States' representatives may take part in the work of the coordination group as observers.
  • Members of the arbitration panel and representatives of the Parties may take part in this meeting via telephone or video conference.

Alternatives:

  • are allowed to take part
  • are permitted to take part
  • have the opportunity to take part
  • are eligible to take part
  • have the option to take part

can take part

This phrase is correct and commonly used in everyday language to indicate ability or permission.

Use 'can take part' in informal or everyday situations to indicate ability or permission. It is less formal than 'may take part.'

Examples:

  • Anyone can take part in the event, regardless of their experience level.
  • Children can take part in the workshop with parental consent.
  • The organisations involved can take part in a step-by-step EMAS implementation plan.
  • On 1 March, there will be a workshop in which everyone can take part.
  • Now this process needs to be confirmed rapidly by the organisation of free, transparent and pluralist legislative elections in which all the political forces can take part.
  • We want the 2004 deadline to be adhered to, so that these peoples can take part in the next European elections.
  • At present, children can take part in kitchen tasks and food preparation in Swedish nursery schools and after-school centres.
  • Candidate countries associated to LIFE can take part in this round according to the provisions set up in the decisions by the Association Councils concerning their participation to LIFE.
  • I would therefore ask you to call Members back so that they can take part in the vote.
  • National dialogue, with a place for everyone and elections in which all peaceful parties can take part, are needed to achieve that objective.
  • The policy must help poorer countries with a technology transfer and resources package so that they can take part in the global alliance.
  • What is required is pluralistic debate in which the political forces can take part on a level playing field.
  • Legal entities established in Croatia, Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia can take part in a proposal, but will only receive funding if a bilateral agreement with the relevant country has been concluded to this effect.
  • This is how matters stand with regard to MEDA: Malta and Cyprus can take part in the national programmes, but not in the country-specific ones, because the incomes are too high.
  • We welcome the commitment that was made in Göteborg to move ahead with accession negotiations so that the newest Member States can take part in the 2004 elections.
  • On the Habbo Hotel website at, which is owned by the Sulake Corporation Ltd., children can take part in a virtual chat with other children.
  • It is understood that these private entities can take part only as co-beneficiaries (partners) in this call for proposals and cannot submit applications as coordinator (applicant).
  • Educational establishments teaching a regional or minority language can take part in the Socrates/Comenius programme in the same way as other educational establishments.
  • The Internet also, at least potentially, allows each citizen to become a content producer themselves and creates the opportunity for a world-wide forum in which anyone can take part, with the advantages and dangers that that implies.
  • 2.5 calls for a substantial increase in the INTI programme so that local and regional authorities can take part in a greater number of EU-funded transnational projects dealing with the integration of migrants;
  • Member States, regional and local authorities and bodies governed by public law can take part equally in these groupings, as set out in the non-exhaustive list in Annex III of Directive 2004/18/CE of 31 March 2004.
  • Will the Commission launch a consultation process in which existing organisations such as the Hotelstars Union can take part?

Alternatives:

  • are able to take part
  • have the ability to take part
  • have permission to take part
  • are allowed to take part
  • are eligible to take part

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