Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #130599: Focus on MAY: Possibility and permission.

	> Other English exercises on the same topic: Modals [Change theme]
	> Similar tests: - Modal: may/might - Placement test 1 - Modal can (video) - Which modal and when? - Modal verb : must / have to - Modal : can/could - Must / Have to - Modal verbs
	> Double-click on words you don't understand

Focus on MAY: Possibility and permission. - English lesson

As well as CAN expresses CAPACITY (physical or intellectual capacity) and more and more often a PERMISSION (in casual language) test, we're going to study MAY, which really expresses the POSSIBILITY of an action.

1) MAY can express an action that is POSSIBLE for someone to do. In formal language,

MAY can express a PERMISSION/ or an absence of PERMISSION or a POSSIBILITY.

a) - Yes, you may go out provided you come home early. (PERMISSION)

With that meaning, MAY has an equivalent (in the future) : TO BE ALLOWED TO

- You won't be allowed to go out after the beginning of the lesson.

- Visitors may not take photos.(absence of PERMISSION)

b) - She may come or not... You never know... (POSSIBILITY)

- She may not agree with you in the end.

2) The 'past' form of MAY, MIGHT, expresses a very uncertain possibility.

- I asked her if I might go before the end. (permission in the indirect style)

- I might arrive very late, depending on the traffic.

3) What about the past?

MAY HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE // MIGHT HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE.

- There may have been several explanations to the mystery...

- He might have met her before.

- She might have given up (she probably did) when she saw she had the wrong key.

Easy, isn't it? A little training will enable you to dominate this notion.

The test will help you. Go for it!

Intermediate Twitter Share
English exercise "Focus on MAY: Possibility and permission." created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

1. 'Is it possible for me to have a word with you? It won’t be long…’ >>' with you? It won’t be long.’

2. 'You have a right to go wherever you want.’ >> whenever you want.’

3. 'Do not imagine it’s going to be possible to keep your cell phone with you during your work.’ >> 'Do not imagine your cell phone with you during your work.’

4. 'He was probably trying to understand what was happening’>> to understand what was happening.’

5. Perhaps it will rain during the ceremony. Don’t forget to put two umbrellas in the car boot. >> during the ceremony. Don’t forget to put two umbrellas in the car boot.

6. 'Put another plate on the table. Perhaps Alan will stay for dinner.’>> 'Put another plate on the table. for dinner’

7. 'I really suppose Dave didn't arrive on time for work because he got up very late this morning..’>>’ on time for work because he got up very late this morning..’

8. 'Perhaps I have made mistakes in my essay... Can you proofread it for me, please...' >> ' mistakes in my essay... Can you proofread it for me, please...'

9. Of course, she'll be late for the party, but now, perhaps she will arrive soon.' >> Of course, she'll be late for the party, but soon.

10. 'Perhaps she will not agree to do it, in the end.' >> ' to do it, in the end.'

End of the free exercise to learn English: Focus on MAY: Possibility and permission.
A free English exercise to learn English.
Other English exercises on the same topic : Modals | All our lessons and exercises