Table of Contents
- 1 What is the example of May?
- 2 What kind of sentences begin with May?
- 3 How do you use may examples?
- 4 How can I use may?
- 5 Where we can use may and might?
- 6 How do you use the word may?
- 7 Can I request or request may?
- 8 When to use can and may in a sentence?
- 9 Where does the word may come from in English?
- 10 Which is the best use of the verb may?
What is the example of May?
May is defined as possible or permissible. An example of may is when you admit that it is possible you are wrong. An example of may is when you are given permission to go somewhere. Used to express possibility or likelihood.
What kind of sentences begin with May?
Definition of Optative Sentence: The sentence which expresses a prayer, keen wish, curse etc. is called an optative sentence. This kind of sentence generally starts with ‘may’ and ‘wish’.
Where we use may in sentence?
May is used to give permission, particularly when applied to you, he, she, they or a proper noun, to show that the speaker is allowing something to happen.
How do you use may examples?
“May” is a modal verb 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.
How can I use may?
‘may’ and ‘might’
- Level: beginner.
- We can use may not to refuse permission or to say that someone does not have permission, but it is formal and emphatic:
- We use might when we are not sure about something in the present or future:
- Level: intermediate.
- We use may have and might have to make guesses about the past:
Can I and may I?
Which do you think is correct? If you use “Can I…” you are literally asking if you have the ability to pick the book up from the person’s hands, walk away with it, and return it later. If you use “May I…” then you are asking permission to use the book and bring it back at a later time.
Where we can use may and might?
May is often used for politeness, to make an order appear as a request; might is used to make the speaker more remote from the request.
How do you use the word may?
Can and may can both be used to ask for permission, although “may” is considered more formal. “May” is the older word and has meanings that refer to the ability to do something, the possibility of something, as well as granting permission.
How do you use may?
May is used to express permission. May not is used to deny permission. May I come in, sir? Yes, you may….Might is the past tense of may in indirect speech.
- He said, ‘I may stand for election.
- He said that he might stand for election.
- Alice said, ‘I may come.
- Alice said that she might come.
Can I request or request may?
‘May’ is more correct, as it is asking for permission. ‘Can’ literally means ‘is it (physically) possible?’ but is often used in this way by native speakers and would not be misunderstood or sound at all strange. ‘Could I use your bathroom?’
When to use can and may in a sentence?
Can is now the verb of choice for ability, and both can and may are still used in the “possibility” sense. You may use can if you wish, and you can use may if it makes you feel better. Love words? Need even more definitions?
Can you listen to a sentence with the word may?
English Sentences with Audio Using the Word “May” You can listen to each sentence as you read it.
Where does the word may come from in English?
May is the earlier verb, showing up in manuscripts from the 8th century. It originally referred to having strength or power, and then very quickly developed a meaning that referred to ability.
Which is the best use of the verb may?
The modal verb may has many uses. The OED entry gives 26 numbered definitions with numerous sub-sections. One of the definitions is this one: may: Expressing permission or sanction: be allowed (to do something) by authority, law, rule, morality, reason, etc.