| MODALITY |
may |
B1 |
USE: PERMISSION
Can use 'may I' to ask for permission. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
B1 |
FORM: QUESTIONS
Can use the question form with 'I'. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
B2 |
FORM/USE: PAST AFFIRMATIVE
Can use 'may have' + '-ed' to talk about possibility in the past. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
B2 |
FORM: WITH ADVERBS
Can use 'may' with an increasing range of adverbs (most commonly 'even', 'only', 'already', 'never', 'just', 'sometimes') in the normal mid-position after the modal verb. ► adverbs |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
B2 |
USE: COMMAND
Can use 'may I' to make a polite request, command or suggestion in formal contexts. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
B2 |
USE: FOCUSING
Can use 'may' in phrases such as as 'you may know', or 'as you may have' + '-ed' to focus the reader on shared knowledge. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
B2 |
USE: OPINION
Can use 'may … but' to express an unexpected point of view. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
B2 |
USE: POLITE REQUEST
Can use 'may I' to make a polite request for permission. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
C1 |
FORM/USE: 'MAY WELL'
Can use 'may well' to give emphasis to something unexpected. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
C1 |
FORM/USE: PAST NEGATIVE
Can use 'may not have' + '-ed' to talk about possibility in the past. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
C2 |
FORM/USE: 'MAY AS WELL'
Can use 'may as well' to talk about what we think is the easiest or most logical course of action, often when we cannot see a better alternative or when it will not spoil the situation if you do that thing. ► might |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
C2 |
USE: CONCESSION
Can use 'may' in a subordinate clause expressing concession with 'however', 'whatever', 'whoever' … + 'it or this may be or seem'. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
may |
C2 |
USE: HEDGING
Can use 'it may be' + '-ed' that as a hedging device when drawing conclusions and summarising, particularly in academic contexts. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
might |
A2 |
FORM: AFFIRMATIVE
Can use the affirmative form. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
might |
A2 |
USE: POSSIBILITY
Can use 'might' to talk about weak possibility. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
might |
B1 |
FORM: NEGATIVE
Can use the negative form. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
might |
B1 |
USE: REPORTED SPEECH
Can use 'might' as the past form of 'may' in indirect reports. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
might |
B1 |
USE: SUGGESTIONS
Can use 'might' to make polite suggestions and give advice. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
might |
B1 |
FORM: PAST AFFIRMATIVE
Can use 'might have' + '-ed'. |
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Details |
| MODALITY |
might |
B1 |
USE: POSSIBILITY IN THE PAST
Can use 'might have' + '-ed' to talk about possibility with a past reference. |
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Details |
