may

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'may' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an auxiliary verb used to express possibility, permission, probability, or moral obligation. Example sentence: You may bring a snack to the movie theater.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may be right.

The New York Times

That may be so.

The New York Times

(You may disagree).

The New York Times

The EU may be getting the booby prize for peace because it sure hasn't created prosperity.

The Guardian

Ministers may want to sweep these events under the carpet, but the scars of the dispute and the subsequent closure programme remain on the memories, communities and landscapes of all coalfield communities.

The Guardian

"We must show our young people, who may be targeted, that extremists have nothing to offer them.

The Guardian

This situation may be heightened if they are financially reliant on their partner.

The Guardian - Opinion

We may, we may not, decide that it's relevant to put something out there about some of those changes.

The Guardian

You must take legal action now or you may lose the opportunity to do so due to future legal obstacles".

The Guardian - Arts

Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries.

The New York Times

"And because of that you see things that may be disturbing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may" to express possibility or permission, keeping in mind its slightly more formal tone compared to "might" or "can". When conveying permission, consider the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality.

Common error

Avoid using "can" when asking for permission. While common in informal speech, "May I" is more appropriate for formal requests. For example, say "May I borrow your pen?" instead of "Can I borrow your pen?"

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "may" is as an auxiliary verb. It is used to express possibility, permission, probability, or wish. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "may" functions primarily as an auxiliary verb, expressing possibility, permission, probability, or wish. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. It is frequently used in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While often interchangeable with "might" and "could", "may" carries a slightly more formal tone, especially when requesting permission. Remember to use "may" for formal permission requests rather than the informal "can". Alternatives like "it is possible that" offer ways to express similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. In summary, "may" is a versatile and commonly used verb with varied purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might

Expresses a similar degree of possibility or tentativeness.

could

Indicates possibility or polite request, similar to "may".

it is possible that

Rephrases "may" using a more explicit and formal structure.

it is permissible to

Replaces "may" when expressing permission or allowance.

is allowed to

Similar to "may" in conveying permission, but more direct.

has the option to

Emphasizes choice or opportunity, where "may" indicates possibility.

is likely to

Expresses a stronger probability compared to "may".

it is conceivable that

Highlights the conceivability of something happening, similar to the possibility implied by "may".

one possibility is

Introduces a potential scenario, mirroring "may"'s function of suggesting possibility.

it could be the case that

Similar to "may" in expressing uncertainty or a potential scenario.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "may" instead of "can"?

"May" is typically used when asking for or granting permission, while "can" refers to ability. For example, you ask, "May I leave the room?" rather than "Can I leave the room?" although in informal speech "can" is commonly used.

What's the difference between "may" and "might"?

Both "may" and "might" express possibility, but "may" often implies a slightly greater chance of something happening or implies permission. "It may rain later" suggests a higher likelihood than "It might rain later".

How to use "may" to express a wish?

"May" can express a wish, particularly in formal or traditional contexts. For example, "May you have a long and happy life" expresses a heartfelt wish for someone's future.

What are some alternatives to using "may" to express possibility?

Instead of "may", you can use phrases like "it is possible", "it is likely", or "perhaps" to express varying degrees of possibility depending on the context.