may

简明释义

[meɪ][meɪ]

aux. 可能,也许(表示某情况是可能的);可以(征求同意或表示允许);可能(表示某情况属实,另一情况也属实);祝,愿(用于表达愿望);可以,能够(表明目的);可以,也许(用于提出礼貌的建议)

n. 山楂花;五月(May)

英英释义

used to express possibility or permission

用于表达可能性或许可

indicating a wish or hope

表示愿望或希望

单词用法

may be

也许,可能

may have

+过去分词

同义词

might

可能

You may leave early if you finish your work.

如果你完成了工作,你可以提前离开。

反义词

must

必须

You must finish your homework before playing.

你必须在玩之前完成作业。

cannot

不能

You cannot enter the room without permission.

没有许可你不能进入这个房间。

例句

1.Boys and girls may behave differently.

男孩儿和女孩儿的表现可能不同。

2.May he rest in peace.

愿他安息吧。

3.Other problems may follow.

其它问题也许会随之而来。

4.He may still face criminal charges.

他也许仍旧要面对刑事指控。

5.Companies may start to invest in plant and equipment abroad where costs may be lower.

各公司可能要开始在国外投资大型机械设备,那里成本可能低一些。

6.They may have to amputate.

他们可能不得不施行截肢手术。

7.I may be back next year.

我可能明年回来。

8.There may be an announcement about this tomorrow—or not, as the case may be.

这件事明天可能有个声明,也可能没有,那要看情况了。

9.You may find this book helpful for your research.

可能会发现这本书对你的研究有帮助。

10.You may want to take an umbrella, it looks like it might rain.

可能想带把伞,看起来可能要下雨。

11.He may join us for dinner if he finishes work on time.

如果他按时完成工作,他可能会和我们一起吃晚餐。

12.Students may submit their assignments until Friday.

学生们可以在周五之前提交作业。

13.If you finish early, you may leave the classroom.

如果你提前完成,可以离开教室。

作文

The word may is a modal verb that expresses possibility or permission. It is often used in various contexts to indicate what is allowed or what might happen in the future. For instance, when we say, 'You may leave early today,' we are granting permission for someone to leave before the usual time. This usage highlights the aspect of approval and consent. On the other hand, when we say, 'It may rain tomorrow,' we are discussing a possibility; it suggests that there is a chance of rain, but it is not certain. This dual function of may makes it a versatile word in the English language.In academic writing, using may can help to convey uncertainty or hypotheses. For example, a researcher might write, 'This treatment may improve patient outcomes.' Here, may indicates that while there is potential for improvement, it is not guaranteed. This cautious language is essential in scientific discourse, as it reflects the tentative nature of research findings. The use of may allows writers to present their ideas without overcommitting to a definitive conclusion.Moreover, may is frequently employed in formal requests and polite inquiries. When asking for permission, one might say, 'May I use your phone?' This phrasing is more courteous than simply saying, 'Can I use your phone?' The distinction between may and can lies in the level of politeness and formality. In this context, may conveys respect and consideration for the other person's authority or property.Additionally, may can be used in conditional statements to express potential outcomes based on certain conditions. For instance, 'If you study hard, you may pass the exam.' This sentence illustrates how may is used to indicate a possible result that depends on the action taken. Such constructions are common in both spoken and written English, as they allow speakers to articulate relationships between actions and their potential consequences.In literature, authors often use may to create an atmosphere of uncertainty or to foreshadow events. For example, in a novel, a character might think, 'I may never know the truth.' This line evokes a sense of doubt and anticipation, drawing readers into the character's emotional state. The use of may here enhances the narrative by suggesting that the outcome is unpredictable, thus increasing suspense.In conclusion, the word may serves multiple functions in the English language. It expresses possibility, grants permission, indicates politeness, and establishes conditional relationships. Understanding how to use may effectively can enhance both written and spoken communication. Whether in casual conversation, academic writing, or creative literature, the versatility of may allows speakers and writers to convey nuanced meanings and explore various dimensions of possibility and permission. By mastering the use of may, one can improve their overall command of the English language and communicate more precisely and effectively.

单词may是一个情态动词,表示可能性或许可。它常用于各种语境中,指示什么是被允许的,或者未来可能发生的事情。例如,当我们说,“你may今天可以早退”,我们是在授权某人提前离开。这种用法突显了批准和同意的方面。另一方面,当我们说,“明天may下雨”时,我们在讨论一种可能性;这表明有可能下雨,但并不确定。may的这种双重功能使其成为英语语言中一个多才多艺的词。在学术写作中,使用may可以帮助传达不确定性或假设。例如,研究人员可能会写道,“这种治疗may改善患者的结果。”在这里,may表明虽然有改善的潜力,但并不保证。这种谨慎的语言在科学话语中至关重要,因为它反映了研究结果的暂时性。使用may允许作者在不对结论做出过分承诺的情况下提出他们的想法。此外,may常用于正式请求和礼貌询问。当请求许可时,人们可能会说,“我may使用你的电话吗?”这种说法比简单地说“我能用你的电话吗?”更为礼貌。在这个语境中,may传达了对他人权威或财产的尊重和考虑。此外,may可以用于条件句中,以表达基于特定条件的潜在结果。例如,“如果你努力学习,你may通过考试。”这个句子说明了may如何用于表示依赖于采取的行动的可能结果。这种结构在口语和书面英语中都很常见,因为它们允许说话者阐明行为与潜在后果之间的关系。在文学作品中,作者常常使用may来创造不确定的氛围或预示事件。例如,在小说中,一个角色可能会想,“我may永远不会知道真相。”这一句引发了一种怀疑和期待的感觉,将读者吸引到角色的情感状态中。此处may的使用增强了叙述,暗示结果是不可预测的,从而增加了悬念。总之,单词may在英语语言中具有多种功能。它表示可能性,给予许可,表示礼貌,并建立条件关系。理解如何有效使用may可以增强书面和口头交流。无论是在日常对话、学术写作还是创意文学中,may的多功能性使说话者和作者能够传达细致的含义,探索可能性和许可的各个维度。通过掌握may的使用,人们可以提高他们对英语语言的整体掌握,进行更精确和有效的沟通。