May – Definition and Uses May - expressing possibility., used to ask for or to give permission. Uses To indicate that permission is requested by or granted to someone:  E.g.: He may go to the park tomorrow if he behaves himself. To indicate possibility:  E.g.: the rope may break;  To indicate ability or capacity, esp in questions E.g.: may I help you?. To express a strong wish:  E.g.: long may she reign.

May – Definition and Uses To indicate result or purpose: used only in clauses introduced by that or so that: E.g.: He writes so that the average reader may understand. To express courtesy in a question: E.g.: whose child may this little girl be? Come what may - whatever happens E.g.: I will go for a movie come what may. Note: Might is a past tense of may. (E.g.: They wanted to know if they might come later.)

Possibility It may rain today.

May I come in, please? Formal Permission –Start with « may » Note: - May is more formal than can. May I come in, please? Yes, you may. Can is generally used in spoken English as it is less formal than may. Explain the candidate what is formal and informal way of talking.

To Wish May you score good in exam. May she gets a job in Paris

Note: May is always positioned after the subject. Examples Jenny may sleep late. She has more homework. He may go to the market today. They may bake a cake at home for his birthday. Note :

MAY NOT ‘Not’ is always placed after may , can or any such words. ‘May not’ is negation of may For example It may not rain today. Harry may not like this ice-cream.

Examples of may and may not She may come tomorrow. She may not come tomorrow. The teacher may teach today. The teacher may not teach today. Pierre may sing tonight. Pierre may not sing tonight.

Exercise 1. He may return late tonight. For eg: He may not return tonight. 2. My mother may give me the permission to attend your party. ______________________________________(negation) 3 . Julie may be very happy to see these photographs. ______________________________________ (negation) 4. We may go to the opera tonight. 5. They may call you. _______________________________________ (negation) This should be followed by the lesson might

Examples of Might and Might Not I might go to the doctor today - I might not go to the doctor today. John might become a fireman - John might not become a fireman. The airplane might crash - The airplane might not crash. Note: same sentences of may and may not can be given for might and might not.