May, The Modal Verb

May
May: is used to express that something is likely/possible or impossible in the present or in the future
Form: subj + May + inf + obj
Examples
1. I am not sure this may be Halu’s book.(meaning: perhaps it is Hailu’s book)
2. She may come here, but I am not sure.
3. The police may arrest him, but I don’t know.
4. They may be in the class, but I am not sure.
5. We may pass the exam, but I am not sure.
6. He may remember, but I don’t know.
7. My mother may punish me, I am not sure.
8. They may do these, but I don’t know.
 To talk about past: we use the following form
:subj + may/might + have + pp + obj
Examples
1. They may have left the country.
2. She may have done her exercise.
3. My father may have gone to market.
4. The solders may have defeated the enemy.
5. The doctor might have cured her.
May is also used to express
A) Requesting permission
Examples
1. May I come in?
2. May you open the door?
3. May I ask you a question?
4. May she come early?
B) Granting permission
Examples
1. You may enter.
2. He may sit down everywhere.
3. We may speak to our dear teacher.
C) Refusing permission
Examples
1. I may not see you.
2. You may not speak Somali.
3. I may not come in.
4. She may not graduate this year.
D) Prayers, wishes, hopes or curses
Examples
1. May you live long.
2. May Allah be with you.
3. May you live happily and long.
4. May we enter the paradise.
5. May Islamic countries get peace.