May / might

Present	Past	Future
may	might	---
am/is/are allowed to	was/were allowed to	will be allowed to

Значение	Примеры
Разрешение (ask / give permission)	- May I be late for the classes tomorrow? I have to go to the dean’s office. – Yes, you may. We were allowed to go home when our duty was off.
Вероятность совершения действия (probability)	Vegetable diet may help you to slim down. (Средняя-высокая степень уверенности) Vegetable diet might help you to slim down. (Средняя – низкая степень уверенности)
Объективная возможность совершения действия (possibility)	You may see him any day you like. He is always here. I may go home now that the classes are over.
Выражение неуверенности, сомнения (uncertainty) = сould в этом же значении	She may not say that in any case. She might not be a good mother as she is a bad daughter
Упрёк, сожаление (reproach, regret). Используется только might и Perfect Infinitive	You might have reminded me about this procedure. It’s your duty as a nurse. They might have predicted the consequences.

Task 5. Express the same idea replacing the words possibly, perhaps by may be. Follow the pattern. Mind the order of words:

Perhaps (possibly) Mr. Jones is right. Mr. Jones may be right.

1) Possibly the information is wrong.

2) Perhaps, he is at home.

3) Possibly the appointment will be postponed.

4) Perhaps he is in the library.

5) Perhaps our group is in room 5.

6) Possibly Dr. Brown is in his office.

7) Perhaps this doctor’s working hours are over.

8) Possibly the calculations are wrong.

9) Perhaps the findings are controversial.

10) Possibly this social worker is engaged in family counseling.

11) Perhaps this student is interested in social studies.

12) Possibly the social environment here is quite favourable.

13) Perhaps this is a silly idea.

Task 6. Change the following sentences into the future according to the pattern:

a) May I go home early today? Will you allow me to go home early today? b) May she not pay you the money today? Will you allow her not to pay (you) the money today?

1) May he miss his classes tomorrow?

2) May I have a week’s holiday?

3) May the students look up the words in the dictionary now?

4) May I borrow your car tomorrow?

5) May I have a look at your notes?

6) May I not go for a check-up today?

7) May he not answer the question at once?

8) May she not do the job now?

9) May she postpone her visit to the doctor?

10) May we arrange another time for writing the test?

11) May I join the group therapy a bit later?

12) May he go home after finishing the work?

13) May I pay you back the debt next month?

Task 7. Analyze the following sentences. Explain the meaning of “may/might”:

1. The social worker can help you understand your feelings and adapt to changes in your lifestyle that might be necessary because of a transplant. 2. Doctor says I may not go out for 3 more days. 3. He might have gone to the party. 4. Social workers may intervene by providing individual, couple, or family counseling, offering group education or support. 5. A certified independent social worker may evaluate and intervene in complex difficulties in psychosocial functioning. 6. Your group mates might have realized their mistakes. But it’s too late now. 7. May we stay here for another week? 8. Students may not miss lectures. 8. Do you like to help people-to really make a difference in their daily lives? Then social work might be the field for you. 9. I may call you later. 10. Social workers might work with people who are homeless, sick, or having family problems. Or they might help students who are having trouble in school. 11. May we come a bit later?

NOTE!

1. При обращении с просьбой к человеку с более высоким социальным статусом предпочтительно употреблять might. Это звучит более официально и вежливо. Сравните:

- May I use your telephone?

- Might I borrow your telephone?

2. Употребление can вместо may для выражения просьбы встречается всё чаще и уже перешло из разговорного стиля в нейтральный, особенно в American English (AE). Вопрос May I? означает, что спрашивающий зависит от воли собеседника. Вопрос Can I? предполагает, что спрашивающий считает свою просьбу вполне законной и она вполне может быть удовлетворена. Так, например, вопрос, обращенный медсестре - Can I come in and speak to Dr. Brown? означает, что вы точно знаете, что врач на месте и может вас принять, но спрашиваете разрешения на тот случай, если у врача другой посетитель. В данном случае вам важно не разрешение самой медсестры, а наличие разрешающих обстоятельств.