may
gb/mˈeɪ/ us/mˈeɪ/
A1
Inglés
~ 200
Acepciones
0 acepciones
modal verb
A2
relation
1
express possibility or give permission
Used to say something is possible or to allow someone to do something.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] may [verb]
Error frecuente:
Learners often confuse 'may' with 'can'. 'May' is more formal and often used for permission, while 'can' is more common in everyday speech for ability and informal permission.
Sinónimos
can ('Can' is often used for ability or informal permission, while 'may' is more formal for permission and possibility.)
|
might ('Might' often suggests a slightly lower probability than 'may' in possibility statements.)
Antónimos
must not (Indicates prohibition, the opposite of granting permission.)
Colocaciones
may be
|may not
|may have
|may well
Temas
daily life
|communication
|rules
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- You may leave early if you finish your work.
- It may rain later this afternoon.
- Students may use the library after hours.
- You may find this book helpful.
- Visitors may not enter without a pass.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- You may go now.
- It may be cold tonight.
- We may play outside.
- She may come to the party.
- You may eat the cake.
Sustantivo
A1
entity
2
the fifth month of the year
The month between April and June.
Colocaciones
in May
|May Day
|early May
|late May
Temas
time
|calendar
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The flowers bloom beautifully in May.
- Our wedding is planned for May 14th.
- May is usually warm in this region.
- Many festivals take place in May.
- She will graduate in May.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- My birthday is in May.
- May is a warm month.
- We go on holiday in May.
- It rains a lot in May.
- School ends in May.
Sustantivo
literary
B2
entity
3
hawthorn tree or blossom
A tree with white or pink flowers that bloom in spring.
Sinónimos
hawthorn (Scientific or common name for the tree; 'May' is more poetic or seasonal.)
Colocaciones
May blossom
|garland of May
Temas
nature
|plants
Ejemplos
- The hedgerows were full of May.
- Villagers decorated the pole with fresh May.
- The scent of May filled the air.
- Children picked May to weave into crowns.
- The festival celebrates the coming of May.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The May has white flowers.
- We saw May in the field.
- The tree called May blooms in spring.
- May grows near the road.
- People use May flowers for decoration.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
may
AFI
GB/mˈeɪ/
US/mˈeɪ/
Sílabas y acento
may (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (may)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: may
- Plural: mays
Familia de palabras
Forms
mays
noun
Core family
maybe
adverb A2
Expresiones
come what may
1/kˈʌm wˈʌt mˈeɪ/
idiom
literary
continue no matter what happens
Used to say that you will do something whatever happens.
Ejemplos
- I’ll support you, come what may.
- Come what may, we will finish the project.
May as well
1/mˈeɪ ˈæz wˈɛl/
fixed phrase
no better choice available
Used to say that you will do something because there is no reason not to.
Ejemplos
- If it’s going to rain all day, we may as well stay inside.
- We may as well start now since everyone is here.
May I help you?
1/mˈeɪ ˈaɪ hˈɛlp jˈu ‖/
fixed phrase
polite offer of help
A polite way to ask if someone needs help.
Ejemplos
- May I help you find something?
- May I help you with those bags?