May and Its Meanings

Exercise 44

Read, translate and comment on the meanings of the verb may and its equivalents (permission; prohibition; possibility due to circumstances; supposition, implying doubt, uncertainty; reproach; polite request).

1. Tom may be studyingin his room.

2. MayIaskyou a personal question?

3. At least you might phoneyour parents more often.

4. He who falls today may risetomorrow.

5. Children may not be leftunaccompanied.

6. Bob may comeby the last train.

7. The keys might bein one of these drawers.

8. Where's Andy? - He might have gone tothe hockey match.

9. You might have visitedyour friend last week as he was ill.

10. I mayeithergoto Spain or France this summer. I haven't made up my

mind yet.

11. He may have spoken toJenny yesterday to avoid misunderstanding.

12. The staff is not allowed to usethe office phone for personal calls. 13. I'm writing a newspaper article now.Isitpermitted to usethe secret files

kept here?

Exercise 45

Look through the exercise. Choose the sentences in which mayormightare used:

1.	to express a polite request (asking someone to do something)	MayIhavea glass of water? (request)
2.	to ask / give / refusepermission.	MayIopenthe window? (asking for permission)

1. You may takethe book. I don’t need it.

2. MayIhavea little more cake please?

3. MayIhavemy carrepairedby the weekend?

4. Mightweaskthe policeman to show the nearest way to the bank?

5. He maygohome if he likes.

6. - MayIborrowyour car please? - Certainly youmay.

6. MayIhavesome more tea?

7. You may not playfootball in the street.

8. MightMr. Smithgoon a business trip instead of me? I’d like to have a

stress leave for a couple of days.

10. This contract is none of our business and responsibilities.Maythe Board

of Directors makea decision?

11. May you help me?

Exercise 46

Ask for permissionusing the modal verbmay.

Example:

• to open the window

• MayIopenthe window?

P r o m p t s:
to take this seat	to smoke here
to ask a question	to close the window
to go to the blackboard	to read the text aloud
to clean the blackboard	to switch on the light
to write this word on the blackboard	to turn off a computer
to take your dictionary	to see you off

Exercise 47

Answer the questions givingorrefusingpermissionaccording to the model.

Example:

	- MayItakeyour textbook?		- MayItakeyour pencil?
	- Do, please. - You are welcome. - Yes, you may. - Certainly		- No, please don’t. - No, you may not. - No, you mustn’t.

1. May I have you pen for a moment?

2. May I use your dictionary?

3. May I ring you up in the evening?

4. May I come in?

5. May I take part in the competition?

6. May I visit the patient?

7. May I open the window?

8. May I go for a walk?

9. May I ask you a personal question?

10. May I stay here?

11. May I go to the cinema?

12. May I join your discussion?

Exercise 48

Give your permissionusing the modal verbmay.

Example:

• Вы можетесделать это.

• You may do it.

1. Вы можете взять выходной завтра.

2. Вы можете заходить в любое время.

3. Он может остаться с нами.

4. Вы можете звонить мне в любое время.

5. Онаможетвойти.

6. Ты можешь купить эту вещь.

7. Он может оставить свои вещи здесь.

8. Вы можете пользоваться моим словарем.

9. Вы можете навестить нас в субботу.

10. Вы можете принять участие в этой экскурсии.

11. Вы можете проводить меня на вокзал.

12. Пациент может принимать это лекарство.

Exercise 49

Fears

May is used to expresspossibility only in affirmative sentences. Give reasons why some people don’t like the following things. What do they thinkmighthappen? Say your answers.

Example:

• Some people don’t like flying.

• They think the planemay crash.

Some People Don’t Like
◘ going in lifts	◘ heights	◘ tidying up their house
◘ driving in cities	◘ snakes	◘ commercials on TV
◘ dogs	◘ horror films	◘ overeating
◘ being in the dark	◘ working overtime	◘ swimming (in rivers, seas, etc)

Activity