Prayers with May

Content

• Difference between may and might
• Questions with may
• Affirmations with may
• Negations with may
• Examples of sentences with may in English and Spanish

may is a modal verb, also called a modal auxiliary. Modal verbs are those that accompany other verbs expressing ability, possibility, need or permission.

May expresses possibility or is used to request permission.

• When used to express possibility, it can be translated as “maybe”, Although we will see that the correct translation varies depending on the case.
• When used to ask for permission it can be translated as “could”.

Difference between may and might

Might is another modal verb used to express possibility.

It is used in the same way, but might indicates a lower degree of probability.

Questions with may

• May I go to the bathroom? / I can go to the bathroom?

Note that "power" is translated as "can." However, strictly speaking, in this question you are not asking if one has the ability (power) but the permission of the interlocutor. That is why the modal verb "may" is used.

Affirmations with may

• I may see him later. / I might see it later

Negations with may

When the modal verb “may” is used, the negation is done on the modal verb and not on the main verb.

• They may not come back. / They may not return.

Examples of sentences with may in English and Spanish

1. may I talk to you for a minute? / Can I talk to you for a moment?
2. They may not accept the offer. / They may not accept the proposal.
3. You may feel better after taking the medicine. / You may feel better after taking the medication.
4. They may lose everything gambling. / They might lose everything gambling.
5. She may see things differently now. / I might see different things now.
6. You may like it if you try it. / You might like it if you try it.
7. I may have failed the test. / You may have failed the exam.
8. may I close the window? / I can close the window?
9. may you step outside, please? / Could you come out, please?
10. may I call you later? / I can call you later?
11. I have may not accept the job. / You may not accept the job.
12. The prices may have increased. / It may be that prices have increased.
13. The numbers may be wrong. / It may be that the numbers are wrong.
14. The company may hire more people next month. / The company may hire more people next month.
15. The party may have started. / Maybe the party has already started.
16. There may be a surprise waiting. / There may be a surprise waiting for us.
17. Item may be a success. / It can be a success.
18. We may get lucky. / We might be lucky.
19. The results may not improve even after all our efforts. / The results may not improve even after all our efforts.
20. may I have another piece of cake? / Could I have another slice of cake?
21. may I speak frankly? / May I speak frankly?
22. They say there may have been an accident. / They say there may have been an accident.
23. They doctors may help you. / Doctors may help you.
24. His answer may surprise you. / His answer may surprise you.
25. I have may become a better piano player than his teacher. / Maybe you will become a better pianist than your teacher.
26. Be careful, the glass may be broken. / Be careful, the glass may be broken.
27. The man in the photograph may be my grandfather. / The man in the photograph could be my grandfather.
28. Be honest and she may forgive you. / Be honest and maybe she will forgive you.
29. I may cut my hair next week. / Maybe I'll get a haircut next week.
30. Since I'm buying some gifts, I may buy something for me too. / Since I'm buying gifts, maybe I'll buy something for myself too.
31. I have may recover his sight after the operation. / I may get my sight back after the operation.
32. I have may be very smart, but he is not nice. / He may be very smart, but he's not nice.
33. Scientists say they may have discovered a cure. / Scientists say they may have discovered a cure.
34. may I help myself? / Can I serve myself?
35. Este may hurt a little. / This may hurt a bit.
36. Even after you tell them no, they may insisted. / Even after saying no, they might insist.
37. If we find something we like, we may buy a new house. / If we find something we like, we might buy a new house.
38. We don’t know him, he may be a criminal. / We don't know him, he could be a criminal.
39. She may become a star one day. / Maybe one day he will become a star.
40. I have may be lying. / He may be lying.
41. They may cancel the show. / Maybe they'll cancel the show.
42. I have may have broken a bone. / It may be that a bone has been broken.
43. may I turn on the air conditioner? / Can I turn on the air conditioning?
44. We may have visitors tomorrow. / We may have visitors tomorrow.
45. You may find a cheaper ticket. / Maybe you will get a cheaper ticket.
46. They may never see each other again. / They may never see each other again.
47. The police may catch them. / Maybe the police will catch them.
48. This show may be good. / This show can be good.
49. may I borrow one of your dresses? / Can I borrow one of your dresses?
50. They may have discovered an unknown species of dinosaur. / They may have discovered an unknown species of dinosaur.

Andrea is a language teacher, and on her Instagram account she offers private lessons by video call so that you can learn to speak English.