may

かもしれない、ありうる

確かではないが、何かが起こる可能性があることを表す。

やさしい英語で： 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.

使い方： may + base verb (The roads may freeze tonight.); may have + past participle (She may have missed the train.)

類義語： might, could

よく使う表現： may happen, may be true, may have forgotten

かもしれない

本当かもしれない、または起こるかもしれないが、確かではない。

やさしい英語で： 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.

使い方： may + verb (It may rain this afternoon.); may have + past participle (She may have missed the bus.)

類義語： might, could

よく使う表現： may be, may have something

してもよい、してもいい

何かをする許可を与えたり、丁寧に許可を求めたりする。

やさしい英語で： 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.

使い方： may + base verb (You may use the computer now.); May I/we + base verb? (May I borrow your pen?)

類義語： can, be allowed to

よく使う表現： may I leave, may use something, may enter

かもしれない

そうかもしれないと認めたうえで、それに反することを続ける。

やさしい英語で： 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.

使い方： may + verb, but… (He may be rich, but he is unhappy.)

類義語： might

よく使う表現： may be wrong, may be rich