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# may

modal verb (may; past/softer: might; may not); noun (May, the month; may, a tree)

«may» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. May means something is allowed: you may go out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#m1)
2. May means something is possible: it may rain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#m2)
3. May is used for polite requests: may I come in? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#m3)
4. May is the fifth month of the year, with 31 days. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#m4)
5. May (or hawthorn) is a tree with white spring flowers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#m5)
6. (formal) «May» is used for wishes: «May you have a long life.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#m6)
7. (formal, exam, rules) «May» states what is permitted by a rule: «Candidates may use a calculator»; «may not» means it is forbidden. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#m7)
8. (casual) In quick talk «may» is often replaced by «can» or «might»: «can I go?», «might rain»; «may as well» means there is no reason not to. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#m8)

### In the lessons

In maths it is a word of possibility in the question, or a month of 31 days: as a month, a daily amount × 31; «may take 2 each» is a limit per person (multiply). In everyday life: «May I...?» is polite asking; in the north May is late spring, in Australia and NZ late autumn. «May the best team win.» In the exam voice: «Candidates may assume that…», «it may be assumed that». In casual talk: «may as well», «you might wanna». Phrases: «may I», «may as well», «be that as it may», «come what may».

### Examples

- You may use a ruler. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x1)
- She saved 1 dollar a day in May. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x2)
- May has 31 days. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x3)
- Each child may take 2 sweets. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x4)
- May I go to the toilet, please? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x5)
- It may snow tonight, so wear a hat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x6)
- Our school sports day is in May. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x7)
- You may not run in the corridor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x8)
- The birds come back in May. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x9)
- bus is late again, may as well walk (casual) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x10)
- Can I go? — You may not, and don't ask again. (rough, strict) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x11)
- Candidates may assume that each month of May comprises 31 days; compute the aggregate saving at one dollar per day. (formal exam) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/#x12)

### Note

«May» never takes -s or «to»: she may go (not «she mays», not «may to go»). «May» (allowed) is more polite than «can». «Maybe» (one word) means perhaps; «may be» (two words) is the verb. The month takes a capital M. Maths: May has 31 days. Trap: «may» is a permission or a chance, not a certain amount. «May not» can mean «not allowed» or «perhaps not»: «You may not go» (forbidden) vs «It may not rain» (perhaps not). «May as well» (casual) = there is no better choice.

## In Jewish tradition

It is the language of permission in the food laws. These verses tell what Israel is allowed to eat, usually clean animals.

**Interpretation.** The rabbis counted the permitted and forbidden foods carefully. This shapes kosher law, where "may eat" points to the clean animals, birds and fish.

### Examples

- Of all clean birds ye may eat. (Torah DEU.14.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/may/#x1)
- Of all clean winged things ye may eat. (Torah DEU.14.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/may/#x2)
- Every male among the priests may eat thereof; it is most holy. (Torah LEV.6.29, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/may/#x3)
- May his years be as many generations! (Writings PSA.61.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/may/#x4)
- If a man die, may he live again? (Writings JOB.14.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/may/#x5)
- May he be enthroned before God for ever! (Writings PSA.61.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/may/#x6)

### Note

«May» never takes -s or «to»: she may go (not «she mays», not «may to go»). «May» (allowed) is more polite than «can». «Maybe» (one word) means perhaps; «may be» (two words) is the verb. The month takes a capital M. Maths: May has 31 days. Trap: «may» is a permission or a chance, not a certain amount. «May not» can mean «not allowed» or «perhaps not»: «You may not go» (forbidden) vs «It may not rain» (perhaps not). «May as well» (casual) = there is no better choice.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «may» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/may/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«may» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/may.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «may» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/may/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«may» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/may.html) on Mova free.