Modal Verb May Examples

There are examples of the use of modal verb MAY in proverbs, sayings and quotations.

Proverbs

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Note the use of the verb 'may / might' in the following proverbs and sayings. Memorize them.

1. A cat may look at a king.
2. Cowards may die many times before their death.
3. A fair face may hide a foul heart.
4. Bitter pills may have blessed effects.
5. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
6. Hares may pull dead lions by the beard.
7. The remedy may be worse than the disease.
8. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
9. When the oak is before the ash, then you will only get a splash; when the ash is before the oak, then you may expect a soak.
10. If you don’t like it you may lump it.
11. Between the cup and the lip a morsel may slip.

Modal Verb May

The Forms, Meanings and Use of the Modal Verb MAY (MIGHT).

May and might are modal auxiliary verb, like for example must , can  and ought. These verbs have no infinitives or participles (to may, mighted, maying do not exist), question and negatives are made without do (may I?, not Do I may?). Like other modal verbs, 'may' has no –s on the third person singular (he may, not he mays); 'may' and 'might' are followed by infinitives without to.  

Patterns. Read and memorize! 

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
I may attend lectures at the University.	May I attend lectures at the University?	I may not attend lectures at the University.
He may attend lectures at the University.	May he attend lectures at the University?	He may not attend lectures at the University.
She may attend lectures at the University.	May she attend lectures at the University?	She may not attend lectures at the University.
It may go.	May it go?	It may not go.
We may attend lectures at the University.	May we attend lectures at the University?	We may not attend lectures at the University.
You may attend lectures at the University.	May you attend lectures at the University?	You may not attend lectures at the University.
They may attend lectures at the University.	May they attend lectures at the University?	They may not attend lectures at the University.

Note 1: - The modal verb 'may' has two forms – may in the present and might in the past. The missing tense is supplied by the future of to be allowed to.
E. g. : I shall be allowed to attend lectures at the University.
          He was allowed to come later.

Note 2: - Contracted negative forms exist: mightn’t is common, but mayn’t is very unusual.


► Might does not normally have a past sense, but it can be used as the past tense of 'may' in 'indirect speech' to report the giving of permission.

• 'What are you doing here?' – 'The manager said that I might look round.'
• He said that we might take his car.