Grammar
to may, mighted, maying do not exist), question and negatives are made without do (may I?, not Do I may?). Like other modal verbs, 'may' has no –s on the third person singular (he may, not he mays); 'may' and 'might' are followed by infinitives without to.
Patterns. Read and memorize!
Note 1: - The modal verb 'may' has two forms – may in the present and might in the past. The missing tense is supplied by the future of to be allowed to.
E. g. : I shall be allowed to attend lectures at the University.
He was allowed to come later.
Note 2: - Contracted negative forms exist: mightn’t is common, but mayn’t is very unusual.
► Might does not normally have a past sense, but it can be used as the past tense of 'may' in 'indirect speech' to report the giving of permission.
Modal Verb May
The Forms, Meanings and Use of the Modal Verb MAY (MIGHT).
May and might are modal auxiliary verb, like for example must , can and ought. These verbs have no infinitives or participles (Patterns. Read and memorize!
| Affirmative | Interrogative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| I may attend lectures at the University. | May I attend lectures at the University? | I may not attend lectures at the University. |
| He may attend lectures at the University. | May he attend lectures at the University? | He may not attend lectures at the University. |
| She may attend lectures at the University. | May she attend lectures at the University? | She may not attend lectures at the University. |
| It may go. | May it go? | It may not go. |
| We may attend lectures at the University. | May we attend lectures at the University? | We may not attend lectures at the University. |
| You may attend lectures at the University. | May you attend lectures at the University? | You may not attend lectures at the University. |
| They may attend lectures at the University. | May they attend lectures at the University? | They may not attend lectures at the University. |
E. g. : I shall be allowed to attend lectures at the University.
He was allowed to come later.
Note 2: - Contracted negative forms exist: mightn’t is common, but mayn’t is very unusual.
► Might does not normally have a past sense, but it can be used as the past tense of 'may' in 'indirect speech' to report the giving of permission.
- 'What are you doing here?' – 'The manager said that I might look round.'
- He said that we might take his car.
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Grammar