Is may used for strong possibility?
Is may used for strong possibility?
Discussing a Possibility: “Can” suggests a strong possibility or a general truth. “May” and “could” suggest we are less certain about something. Asking for Permission: You can use all three words to ask for permission. To be formal, though, you should use “may” instead of “could” or “can.”
What is the future of May?
There is no future tense, but may is used for talking about future possibilities: I may go to London next week.
What is the difference between May and possibility?
May is the more formal word, and if you are at all concerned about being tut-tutted, a safe choice. Can is now the verb of choice for ability, and both can and may are still used in the “possibility” sense. You may use can if you wish, and you can use may if it makes you feel better.
Can you show possibility?
We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain:
- They could come by car. (= Maybe they will come by car.)
- It can be very cold here in winter.
- That can’t be true.
- It’s ten o’clock.
- It could be very cold there in winter.
- They know the way here.
- She can speak several languages.
- I can see you.
Could may might possibility?
When you want to talk about possibilities, use could, may and might. They all mean the same thing and we use them all to talk about things that are possibly true now and things that will possibly happen in the future. If you think things are possibly NOT true or NOT certain, say ‘might not’ or ‘may not’.
Is it I may or I might?
“Might” is the past tense of “may.” When deciding which one to use, you can use the sentence tense to decide on “might” or “may.” Refer to these examples to see how “might” is used: He might have called me after the game, but they got busy.
Can I use might for future?
There is no future tense, but might is used for talking about future possibilities: It might rain tomorrow.
Can future possibility?
Could, may or might convey the idea of future possibility. Of these, may expresses a stronger degree of certainty that an event will occur. For example: The temperature is dropping.
When May is used?
“May” is a modal verb most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common. Examples: Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work.
How do you use may in a sentence?
May sentence example
- ” May I sit with you?” she asked shyly.
- May we come in? 1160.
- Do you think they may have given up? 988.
- They may be too busy running. 817.
- You may follow me.
- “You may buy something, if you wish,” said his mother.
- You may do as you wish.
- “You may choose any subject that you like best,” said the teacher.
How to use may, could and could in MN?
Winters in Minnesota can be really cold. May, might and could + perfect infinitive express uncertainty with reference to past actions: We haven’t heard from him for ten years. He may/might/could have died. (Perhaps he has died, but we don’t know.)
When to use may and might infinitives?
May and might + infinitive are used to express present or future possibility. May expresses a greater degree of certainty: You should ask him. He may/might know Susan’s telephone number. (Perhaps he knows her number.)
When to use may or might not as a modal?
May/might not + perfect infinitive is used for uncertainty, but could not + perfect infinitive (except for the case above) expresses deduction: I had better call Anne. She may/might not have read my e-mail. (uncertainty) It couldn’t have been John you saw this morning.
Which is the best modal to express a possibility?
Modals to express possibility: MAY, MIGHT, CAN, COULD. certainty. modals. possibility. BE LIKELY TO/THAT. CAN. COULD. MAY. MIGHT.
Is the future real?
It is different from other real conditional forms because, unlike the present or the past, you do not know what will happen in the future. Although this form is called “real”, you are usually imagining or guessing about the future. It is called “real” because it is still possible that the action might occur in the future.
What are some crazy predictions about the future?
30 Craziest Predictions About the Future Experts Say Are Going to Happen 1 You’ll communicate with dead relatives via virtual reality.. Ray Kurzweil, a futurist and director of engineering at… 2 Your kitchen will restock itself.. Amazon is already launching drone delivery, but if even that sounds
Is there a future in the if or when clause?
Notice that there is no future in the if- or when-clause. USE The future real conditional (also called conditional 1) describes what you think you will do in a specific situation in the future. It is different from other real conditional forms because, unlike the present or the past, you do not know what will happen in the future.
Is there going to be a war in the future?
As such, it is inevitable that today’s younger generation will experience war. The only question is when. These 10 examples of war could well blow up within the next few years. Some are regional, some are global. Some are small, some are big. The only constant is how horrifying these conflicts could potentially be.