/meɪ/
Translation
Used to say that something is possible, or to ask for and give permission.
Word origin
From Old English maeg, a form of magan meaning to be able; the same root gave English might and main.
- Origin
- Old English
- Root
- magan
- English cognates
- might, main
Grammar
Examples
later .
"May" shows that something is possible.
?
"May I" is a polite way to ask for permission.
.
Here "may" gives permission.
Used in
Stories
(3)Grammar articles
(13)Compound nouns in English: car park, coffee cup, and why GREENhouse is not green HOUSE
Dummy subjects in English: it's raining, there's a problem, and why the subject slot is never empty
For, since, already, yet and still in English: which word, and where it goes in the sentence
English grammar test: 30 questions with answers (A2-B2)
Hedging and vague language in English: sort of, a bit, -ish, stuff and or so
Linking words in English: however, although, despite, whereas and therefore
Modal verbs in English: rules, examples and how to use them
Modals of deduction in English: must be, might be, could be and can't be
Prepositions in English: place, time and movement explained
Reported speech in English: backshift, questions and commands
The subjunctive and the unreal past in English: I suggest he go, if I were you, and it's time we left
Word formation with prefixes: un-, in-, im-, dis-, re-, over-, under- and mis-
Word formation in English: how suffixes build word families and give away the part of speech
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