Using 'May'
May is used to express:
• uncertainty, probability, possibility:
• uncertainty, probability, possibility:
Bruno may be in the board room. It's possible that Bruno is in the board room.
It's possible that dogs may not be allowed in the apartment. Perhaps dogs are not allowed in the apartment.
• when used to express permission, may is equivalent to can or could, but is more polite and formal:
May I have your name please? Could you please tell me your name?
May I smoke? Yes, you may. a more formal version of: Can I smoke? Yes, go ahead.
• desires and wishes:
May the force be with you! (Star Wars) I hope the force will be with you!
Note:
• May is the origin of the expression maybe (perhaps):
• May is the origin of the expression maybe (perhaps):
Maybe it's going to rain tomorrow. Perhaps it will rain tomorrow.
• May can refer to the future:
It may rain tomorrow. It might rain tomorrow.
• When it expresses uncertainty, may is not used in the question form. In this case it is replaced by the expression to be likely to:
Is it likely to rain tomorrow? Is there a strong chance of rain tomorrow? Is rain probable tomorrow?
Still facing difficulties with 'Using 'May''? Improve your English with Gymglish's English lessons - try our online English course for free now and receive a free level assessment!
What our users say:
Find out about other grammar rules. Improve your English further and test Gymglish, online English lessons.
Tips for learning 'Using 'May''? Share them with us!
