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- pronunciation:
- meI
- features:
- Grammatical Patterns
| part of speech: |
auxiliary verb |
| inflections: |
may, might |
| definition 1: |
to be allowed to. (Cf. can1.)
You may take a break now, but please be back in fifteen minutes.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
May I sit here?[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
Students may not keep pets in the dormitories.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
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| definition 2: |
used to express the possibility of something happening or being true.
He may arrive tonight if he can catch the last train.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
Her injuries are serious, but she may still recover.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
I didn't get a scholarship, so I may not be able to go to that private school after all.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
A witness may have seen a man running away from the scene of the crime.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
My parents may have been stricter with my older siblings than with me.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
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| definition 3: |
used to express a heartfelt wish, desire, or proclamation.
May your dreams come true![modal verb + bare infinitive
]
May they live a long and happy life together![modal verb + bare infinitive
]
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| definition 4: |
to be able to (used in clauses and preceded by "so that" or "that").
I will tell them the truth so that they may understand my decision.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
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| definition 5: |
used to admit that something is true.
He may be a little slow, but his work is always of very high quality.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
New York City may be crowded and expensive, but I find it an exciting place to live in.[modal verb + bare infinitive
]
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