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Hope you can help me to answer this tricky question. I´m posting here as I got the impression that it needs a linguist or at least a native to answer it.

When you say: I may go to the party. Does this mean that you have permission to go there? Kind of - your mum allowed you to go there... or does it mean that you´ll probably go there? I´d say it´s the second case.

Or: I may play the guitar. I´d understand that the person means that there is a probability that they will play the guitar. Just as when you say the same thing by using "might".

I use may just to ask for permission or to give permission to somebody.

So, I´d say I´m allowed to go to the party/to play the guitar if I want to express that I (!!) have permission to do something.

I did a lot of research, but examples with MAY are always:

a) questions - May I take a seat?

b) using YOU - you may leave the room once you´ve finished the exam.

I´d really appreciate it if you could give me more information about this issue.

KillingTime
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Nina Lezioni
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  • The meaning depends entirely on context. "Mum says I may go to the party." "I may go to the party if I get back from London in time." – Kate Bunting Mar 08 '23 at 13:48
  • May is a modal, and all modals have at least two meanings, called epistemic (logical: This may be the place) and deontic (permission/obligation: You may attend if you're back by midnight). – John Lawler Mar 08 '23 at 16:06
  • @fumblefingers That excellent answer does not answer this question. – Araucaria - Him Mar 08 '23 at 20:06

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