"borrow" and "use"

[alv]

I wish to have an explanation why is it proper to say;
May I use your telephone? and not May I borrow your telephone?

Thanks in advance.
alv

[Jamie (K)]

Who said it's improper to ask if you can borrow someone's telephone? There's nothing improper about that at all! You can ask it either way, and it's perfectly fine.

[daemon99]

But Jamie, doesn't borrow mean to take it with you (to your home or somewhere) and return it once you are done using it? That's what I thought it was.

[Alan]

Hi Daemon,

'Borrow' is used as you have described but also it can mean have temporary use of something. And that's the way it's used in:

[alv]

Thank you very much Jemie for your kind explanation. Actually nobody told me that it was improper, I only thought it was improper because when I had a conversation with a native English speaker he used to say May I use your telephone and not May I borrow your telephone?, now I understood that I can use both fine. Thanks!

[alv]

Thanks Daemon for your more detailed interaction. It helps me more to understand my question.

[alv]

Hi Alan,

This forum is really alive and a place for those who want to learn English by heart. I salute to your efforts and wish you more success. Thanks for accommodating my posting and many more inquiries to come from me.