1."There can/may be many reasons for this".
2."It can/may rain tomorrow."
I thought that my concept is clear regarding difference between 'can' and 'may',but I get confused while using them in aforementioned lines.
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2Both can and may imply either possibility or permission, depending on the context. May is generally more polite than can. Otherwise this is basic grammar so please add more detail to your question, so we can understand what specifically you find confusing?– AndrewDec 24, 2017 at 19:12
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1 Answer
It depends on how you define possibility.
Can means that something is possible in the sense that it is able to occur.
It can get very dark at night.
Ice cream can melt quickly in hot temperatures.
May means that something is possible in the sense that there is a chance that it occurs.
It may get very dark, so bring a flashlight with you.
The ice cream may melt quickly, so buy some napkins just in case.
Now, let's analyse your sentences.
There can be many reasons for workers being late, including traffic and weather conditions.
There may be many reasons for workers being late, since the subways are closed and the streets are covered in snow.
The first option makes a general statement. Workers are late for many reasons, and these reasons are able to occur. The second option is not definitive. Since most of the transportation is not running, there is a chance that workers will be late because of these reasons.
It can rain a lot in mountainous regions because humid air is forced upwards producing clouds.
It may rain a lot tomorrow, so bring your umbrella to work.
The first option makes a general statement. Rain is able to occur in mountainous regions because of the movement of humid air. The second option is not definitive. Since there may be weather patterns showing rain the next day, there is a chance that it will rain.
