47 May: Modals of Possibility
Advertising
Introduction
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that has no meaning on its own but it modifies the main verb, changes its meaning and gives more details about the action.
May is a type of auxiliary modal verb used to express the possibility for something to happen and also to ask for or give permission.
Form
May always has the same form, even for the third person singular, and we usually find this structure in its three forms.
Affirmative
Its structure, in the affirmative form, is:
Subject + may + verb + …
| Subject | may | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| I/You | may | work |
| He/She/It | may | work |
| We/You/They | may | work |
Negative
Its structure, in the negative form, is:
Subject + may + not + verb + …
| Subject | may + not | Verb (infinitive) |
|---|---|---|
| I/You | may not | work |
| He/She/It | may not | work |
| We/You/They | may not | work |
Interrogative
Its structure, in the interrogative form, is:
May + subject + verb + …?
| May | Subject | Verb | Question Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | I/you | work | …? |
| May | he/she/it | work | …? |
| May | we/you/they | work | …? |
Example
Affirmative
Are not sure about something
- I’m afraid I may be late.
- Susana may come to see you tomorrow.
- There may be too many people at the post office.
Give or ask for Permission
- You may take this plate.
- She may answer the phone.
- They may travel by plane.
Express wish or hope
- May the force be with you.
- May you both be happy together.
- May we have rain this year.
Negative
- You may not answer the phone call!
- She may not leave a message.
- I’m afraid that we may not interview the director.
Interrogative
- May I answer an important phone call?
- May she leave you a message?
- May we interview the director?
Use
We use may in the affirmative form when we:
- Are not sure about something;
- Give or ask for permission;
- Express wish or hope.
We use may in the negative form when we refuse a permission or express prohibition or uncertainty.
We use may in the interrogative form when we want to make a polite request.
Summary
The modal verb may expresses permission, possibility for something to happen, wishes or hopes. The negative form is used to express prohibition, uncertainty or to refuse a permission and the interrogative form expresses polite requests.
We can use it in its different forms:
- Affirmative: We start with the subject followed by may and the verb.
- Negative: We start with the subject followed by may not and the verb.
- Interrogative: We start with may followed by the subject and the verb (the sentence ends with a question mark).
For example:
— Affirmative: “It may snow this winter.”
— Negative: “It may not snow this winter.”
— Interrogative: “May it snow this winter?”
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
The exercises are not created yet. If you would like to get involve with their creation, be a contributor.
Ambassadors
Open TextBooks are collaborative projects, with people from all over the world bringing their skills and interests to join in the compilation and dissemination of knowledge to everyone and everywhere.
Become an Ambassador and write your textbooks.
Online Teaching
Become a Books4Languages Online tutor & teacher.
More information here about how to be a tutor.
