新东方-柯林斯雅思备考词典

may

英  [meɪ]
    

[VERB]

    VERB. 动词
  • 1[MODAL 情态动词] (将来)可能

    You use may to indicate that something will possibly happen or be true in the future, but you cannot be certain.

    近义词

    might

    双语例句

    例:

    We may have some rain today.

    今天可能会下点雨。

    例:

    I may be back next year.

    我可能明年回来。

    2[MODAL 情态动词] 可能(是真的)

    You use may to indicate that there is a possibility that something is true, but you cannot be certain.

    近义词

    might

    双语例句

    例:

    Civil rights officials say there may be hundreds of other cases of racial violence.

    负责公民权利的官员说可能有几百起其他的种族暴力案件。

    3[MODAL 情态动词] 可能(表明有时或在某些情况下属实)

    You use may to indicate that something is sometimes true or is true in some circumstances.

    近义词

    might

    双语例句

    例:

    A vegetarian diet may not provide enough calories for a child's normal growth.

    素食可能无法提供孩子正常成长所需要的足够热量。

    4[MODAL 情态动词] (与过去分词连用,表示某事可能已经发生、属实或提供解释)

    You use may have with a past participle when suggesting that it is possible that something happened or was true, or when giving a possible explanation for something.

    双语例句

    例:

    He may have been to some of those places.

    那些地方他可能去过一些。

    5[MODAL 情态动词] 或许(用于承认情况属实,但同时将之与更重要的东西作比较)

    You use may in statements where you are accepting the truth of a situation, but contrasting it with something that is more important.

    双语例句

    例:

    I may be almost 50, but there's not much I've forgotten.

    我是快五十岁了,但我没忘记多少事情。

    6[MODAL 情态动词] 可以(加以利用)

    You use may when you are mentioning a quality or fact about something that people can make use of if they want to.

    近义词

    can

    双语例句

    例:

    The bag has narrow straps, so it may be worn over the shoulder or carried in the hand.

    这个包的带子细长,所以可以斜跨,也可以手拎。

    7[MODAL 情态动词] (法律或法规)允许

    You use may to indicate that someone is allowed to do something, usually because of a rule or law. You use may not to indicate that someone is not allowed to do something.

    双语例句

    例:

    In the US, any two persons may marry provided that both persons are at least 16 years of age on the day of their marriage.

    在美国,任何两个人都可以结婚,只要在结婚日时双方均已年满16岁。

    8[MODAL 情态动词] 可以(表示许可)

    You use may when you are giving permission to someone to do something, or when asking for permission.

    近义词

    can

    双语例句

    例:

    Mr Hobbs? May we come in?

    霍布斯先生?我们可以进去吗?

    9[MODAL 情态动词] 可以(用于礼貌的请求)

    You use may when you are making polite requests.

    近义词

    can

    双语例句

    例:

    I'd like the use of your living room, if I may.

    如果可以,我想用用你的起居室。

    10[MODAL 情态动词] 可能会(用于别人对自己所说的话可能会有的反应或态度)

    You use may when you are mentioning the reaction or attitude that you think someone is likely to have to something you are about to say.

    双语例句

    例:

    You know, Brian, whatever you may think, I work hard for a living.

    你知道,布雷恩,不管你会怎么想,我是为了生计而努力工作。

    11[MODAL 情态动词] 以便能

    If you do something so that a particular thing may happen, you do it so that there is an opportunity for that thing to happen.

    近义词

    can

    双语例句

    例:

    the need for an increase in the numbers of surgeons so that patients may be treated as soon as possible.

    有必要增加外科医生的人数,以便让病人尽快地得到救治。