1 used for saying that sth is possible （用于表示可能）也许，或许: ‘Where's Sue?’ ‘She may be in the garden.’ “休在哪儿？”“她可能在花园里。”You may be right. 你也许是对的。I may be going to China next year. 明年我可能到中国去。They may have forgotten the meeting. 他们或许已忘记了这个会议。

2 used as a polite way of asking for and giving permission （用于礼貌地要求及给予准许）可以: May I use your phone? 我可以借用你的电话吗？You may not take photographs in the museum. 博物馆内不可拍照。

3 used for contrasting two facts （用于对比两项事实）: He may be very clever but he can't do anything practical. 他可能很聪明，但是什么实际事情都做不来。

4 (formal 正式) used for expressing wishes and hopes （表示愿望和希望）: May you both be very happy. 愿你们俩过得很幸福。 ☞For more information about modal verbs, look at the Quick Grammar Reference section at the back of this dictionary. 有关情态动词的详细用法，参看本词典末“语法便览”部份。