may

poder

Indica que algo es posible, aunque no se sabe con certeza.

En inglés sencillo: Used to say that something is possible but you are not certain.

• It may rain today.
• We may need a bigger table.
• He may have left his phone at home.

Cómo se usa: may + base verb (The roads may freeze tonight.); may have + past participle (She may have missed the train.)

Sinónimos: might, could

Expresiones frecuentes: may happen, may be true, may have forgotten

poder

Indica que algo podría ser cierto u ocurrir, sin que haya seguridad.

En inglés sencillo: Something is possible, but you are not sure it is true or will happen.

• He may be at home.
• We may arrive late tonight.
• They may have forgotten the meeting.

Cómo se usa: may + verb (It may rain this afternoon.); may have + past participle (She may have missed the bus.)

Sinónimos: might, could

Expresiones frecuentes: may be, may have something

poder

Sirve para dar permiso o preguntar con cortesía si se permite hacer algo.

En inglés sencillo: Used to give permission or politely ask if you are allowed to do something.

• You may sit here.
• May we open the window?
• Students may leave when they have finished.

Cómo se usa: may + base verb (You may use the computer now.); May I/we + base verb? (May I borrow your pen?)

Sinónimos: can, be allowed to

Expresiones frecuentes: may I leave, may use something, may enter

poder

Admite que algo puede ser cierto antes de añadir una idea que parece contradecirlo.

En inglés sencillo: You accept that something is true before saying something that seems to disagree with it.

• It may be small, but it is comfortable.
• You may know him, but you cannot speak for him.
• She may have lost, but she played well.

Cómo se usa: may + verb, but… (He may be rich, but he is unhappy.)

Sinónimos: might

Expresiones frecuentes: may be wrong, may be rich