may

pouvoir

Indique qu’une chose est possible, sans certitude.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : may + base verb (The roads may freeze tonight.); may have + past participle (She may have missed the train.)

Synonymes : might, could

Expressions courantes : may happen, may be true, may have forgotten

pouvoir

Indique qu’une chose pourrait être vraie ou se produire, sans qu’on en soit sûr.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : may + verb (It may rain this afternoon.); may have + past participle (She may have missed the bus.)

Synonymes : might, could

Expressions courantes : may be, may have something

pouvoir

Sert à donner la permission ou à demander poliment si l’on peut faire quelque chose.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : may + base verb (You may use the computer now.); May I/we + base verb? (May I borrow your pen?)

Synonymes : can, be allowed to

Expressions courantes : may I leave, may use something, may enter

pouvoir

Admet qu’une chose peut être vraie avant d’ajouter une idée qui semble la contredire.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : may + verb, but… (He may be rich, but he is unhappy.)

Synonymes : might

Expressions courantes : may be wrong, may be rich