may

modal verb

UK /meɪ/

May is usually followed by an infinitive without ‘to’: It may rain.

Sometimes may is used without a following infinitive: I’d like to make one or two comments, if I may.

May does not change its form, so the third person singular form does not end in ‘-s’: He may arrive this afternoon.

Questions and negatives are formed without ‘do’: May I make a suggestion?She may not understand.

The negative form may not is sometimes shortened to mayn’t by British speakers of English, but it is not common.

May has no participles and no infinitive form.

There is no past tense, but may have followed by a past participle can be used for talking about past possibilities: She may have changed her mind and decided not to come. When indirect speech is introduced by a verb in the past tense, might is used as the past tense of may: I asked if I might see the paintings.

There is no future tense, but may is used for talking about future possibilities: I may go to London next week.

1
used for showing possibility
1. 1a
  used for saying that there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen
  There may be an easier way of solving the problem.
  The injury may have caused brain damage.
  I may not be able to play on Saturday.
  You may be asked to show your passport.
  Some fir trees may grow up to 60 feet high.
  Synonyms and related words
  Modal verbs
  can
  cannot
  could
2. 1b
  formalused for saying that it is possible to do something in a particular way
  The bill may be paid by cheque or by credit card.
  The total may be calculated by two different methods.
  Synonyms and related words
  Modal verbs
  can
  cannot
  could
  Synonyms and related words
  Possible and able to be done
  possible
  be able to do something
  may
2
be allowed to do something
1. 2a
  spokenused for politely asking someone to let you do something
  May we come in now?
  May I use your phone?
  Synonyms and related words
  Modal verbs
  can
  cannot
  could
2. 2b
  formalused for saying that something is allowed
  Visitors may use the swimming pool between 5.30 and 7.30 pm.
  You may take a short break now.
  Synonyms and related words
  Modal verbs
  can
  cannot
  could
3
spokenused when making a polite request or offer
May I have a biscuit?
May I help?
May we offer you a glass of wine?
May I see your ticket, please?
Synonyms and related words
Ways of asking questions and making requests
after you
any chance of...?
any luck?
See alsocan
4
spokenused when making a polite remark or suggestion
may I say/ask/suggest etc:
May I say a word of thanks to all those who helped today.
May I suggest a better idea?
if I may:
Let me, if I may, introduce you to my manager, Jim Doyle.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of making a suggestion
perhaps
maybe
may
5
formalused for saying that someone does something in order to achieve a particular purpose
The dried fruit may be used through the winter.
Synonyms and related words
Modal verbs
can
cannot
could
6
formalused for expressing a hope or a wish
May peace and prosperity return to this troubled land!
Synonyms and related words
Modal verbs
can
cannot
could
Synonyms and related words
Expressions of hope
hopefully
I’d like to think (that)
with any luck

phrases

if I may say so

I may say/add

may as well

may...but

may (very) well/easily

may

modal verb

US /meɪ/

May is usually followed by an infinitive without “to”: It may rain.

Sometimes may is used without a following infinitive: I’d like to make one or two comments, if I may.

May does not change its form, so the third person singular form does not end in “-s”: He may arrive this afternoon.

Questions and negatives are formed without “do”: May I make a suggestion?She may not understand.

The negative form may not is sometimes shortened to mayn’t by British speakers of English, but it is not common.

May has no participles and no infinitive form.

There is no future tense, but may is used for talking about future possibilities: I may go to Toledo next week.

1
used for showing possibility
1. 1a
  used for saying that there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen
  There may be an easier way of solving the problem.
  The injury may have caused brain damage.
  I may not be able to play on Saturday.
  You may be asked to show your passport.
  Some fir trees may grow up to 60 feet high.
  Synonyms and related words
  Modal verbs
  can
  cannot
  could
2. 1b
  formalused for saying that it is possible to do something in a particular way
  The bill may be paid by check or by credit card.
  The total may be calculated by two different methods.
  Synonyms and related words
  Modal verbs
  can
  cannot
  could
  Synonyms and related words
  Possible and able to be done
  possible
  be able to do something
  may
2
be allowed to do something
1. 2a
  spokenused for politely asking someone to let you do something
  May we come in now?
  May I use your phone?
  Synonyms and related words
  Modal verbs
  can
  cannot
  could
2. 2b
  formalused for saying that something is allowed
  Visitors may use the swimming pool between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
  You may take a short break now.
  Synonyms and related words
  Modal verbs
  can
  cannot
  could
3
spokenused when making a polite request or offer
May we offer you a glass of wine?
May I see your ticket, please?
May I have a cookie?
May I help?
Synonyms and related words
Ways of asking questions and making requests
any chance of...?
any luck?
any requests?
See alsocan
4
spokenused when making a polite remark or suggestion
may I say/ask/suggest etc.:
May I say a word of thanks to all those who helped today.
May I suggest a better idea?
if I may:
Let me, if I may, introduce you to my manager, Jim Doyle.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of making a suggestion
perhaps
maybe
may
5
formalused for saying that someone does something in order to achieve a particular purpose
The dried fruit may be used through the winter.
Synonyms and related words
Modal verbs
can
cannot
could
6
formalused for expressing a hope or a wish
May peace and prosperity return to this troubled land!
Synonyms and related words
Modal verbs
can
cannot
could
Synonyms and related words
Expressions of hope
hopefully
I’d like to think (that)
with any luck

phrases

if I may say so

may as well

may...but

may (very) well/easily

May

noun countable/uncountable

UK /meɪ/

Word Forms

singular	May
plural	Mays

1
the fifth month of the year, between April and June
We’re taking an early holiday in May.
They were married on 17th May.
I haven’t seen them since last May.
Synonyms and related words
Months of the year
Apr.
April
Aug.

may

noun uncountable

UK /meɪ/

1
the hawthorn tree, or its flowers
Synonyms and related words
Tree names
acacia
alder
almond

May

noun countable/uncountable

US /meɪ/

Word Forms

singular	May
plural	Mays

1
the fifth month of the year, between April and June
We’re taking an early vacation in May.
They were married on May 17th.
I haven’t seen them since last May.
Synonyms and related words
Months of the year
Apr.
April
Aug.

may

noun uncountable mainly British

US /meɪ/

1
the hawthorn tree, or its flowers
Synonyms and related words
Tree names
acacia
alder
almond

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