may
[meɪ] modal verb
POSSIBILITY 可能性
ESSENTIAL
■used to express possibility （表示可能性）可能，也许•There may be other problems that we don't know about.可能有我们不知道的其他问题。 •I may see you tomorrow before I leave.明天我走前也许还能见到你。 •The cause of the accident may never be discovered.意外的起因也许永远无法查清。 •The explosion may have been caused by a faulty electrical connection.爆炸可能是由电路连接错误引起的。 •We'd better not interfere - she may not like it.我们最好别干涉——她可能会不高兴。 •There may be some evidence to suggest she's guilty, but it's hardly conclusive.也许有迹象显示她有罪，但不怎么令人信服。 Compare might
Common Learner Errors mayMay is followed by an infinitive verb without 'to'.Don't say 'may does something', say may do something
✗ It may sounds strange but it works!It may sound strange but it works!
Common Learner Errors may be or maybe?May and be appear together as two separate words when they are both used as verbs:I may be late for dinner tonight.Remember: the adverb maybe is always written as one word:Maybe you should leave work earlier?
Common Learner Errors may or can?Warning: Choose the correct verb!To talk about the possibility that something will happen when you are not certain, use mayRory may be late again. The traffic is very heavy.When you are certain that something is possible, don't say 'may', say can :
✗ You may get to my house by bus or by train.You can get to my house by bus or by train.
[meɪ] modal verb
PERMISSION 允许
ESSENTIAL slightly formal
■used to ask or give permission （用于请求许可或表示允许）可以•A reader may borrow up to six books at any one time.读者一次最多可借阅六本书。 •"May I help myself to some more food?" "Yes, of course."“我能再要些吃的吗？”“好的，当然可以。” •Hi, my name's Tiffany. How may I help you?“你好，我叫蒂芙妮，能帮你做些甚么吗？” Compare might
[meɪ] modal verb
WISH 祝愿 formal
■used to introduce a wish or a hope （表示祝愿或希望）祝，愿•May you have a long and fruitful marriage.祝你们婚姻长久美满。
[meɪ] modal verb
be that as it may slightly formal
■used to mean that you accept that a piece of information is true but it does not change your opinion of the subject you are discussing 就算是那样•Building a new children's home will cost a lot of money but, be that as it may, there is an urgent need for the facility.兴建一所新的儿童之家要花很多钱，但即使如此也要非建不可。
[meɪ] modal verb
may I ask
■used in questions to show disapproval （用于疑问句表示不赞同）能问一下…吗•What, may I ask, was the point of repeating the tests?我想问一下，重复这些测试的目的是甚么？
[meɪ] modal verb
may well
■If you say that something may well happen, you mean that it is likely to happen 很有可能•She may well not want to travel alone.她很有可能不想独自旅行。
[meɪ] noun uncountable (also may blossom)
■the flowers of the hawthorn tree 山楂花 |