25/2/2016 ENGLISH PAGE May englishpage.com Home > Modal Verb Tutorial > May May f t g+ p "May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common Examples: Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. possibility Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner. give permission May I use your bathroom? request permission Using "May" in Present, Past, and Future Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "may" behaves in different contexts Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms Also 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = use: Future Future 1. Jack may be upset. I can't 1. Jack may not be upset really tell if he is annoyed or Perhaps he is tired tired may possibility 2. Jack may have been upset. I couldn't really tell if he was annoyed or tired might 2. Jack may not have been upset Perhaps he was tired 3. Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the truth 3. Jack may get upset if you don't tell him the truth 1. You may leave the table now http://www.englishpage.com/modals/may.html 1. You may not leave the table can 1/2 25/2/2016 ENGLISH PAGE May may give permission that you're finished with your You're not finished with your dinner dinner yet 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" TO" You were not allowed to leave the You were allowed to leave the table because you hadn't finished table after you finished your your dinner dinner may 3. You may not leave the table 3. You may leave the table until you are finished with your when you finish your dinner. dinner. May I borrow your eraser? NO NEGATIVE FORMS May I make a phone call? can, might request permission Requests usually refer to the near future EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS Modal Exercise 5 have got to, had better, may and shall Modal Exercise 7 modal verb forms Modal Verb Final Test complete review Copyright © 2016 Englishpage.com, All Rights Reserved Contact us | Privacy Policy | Advertise with us Your personal online English school. Learn English at Englishpage.com! Weekly Lesson Grammar Book Vocabulary Verb Tenses Conditionals Modals Gerunds / Infinitives Articles Prepositions Minitutorials Irregular Verbs Reading Room Listening Lounge Games English Forums English Schools English · Foreign Dictionaries English ·English Dictionaries Irregular Verb Dictionary Phrasal Verb Dictionary Verb + Preposition Dictionary http://www.englishpage.com/modals/may.html 2/2