may
Could be allowed
May expresses possibility or permission.
Something that may happen is neither certain nor impossible: It may rain tomorrow.
May asks or grants permission: May I come in?
You may leave when you're finished.
May also expresses wishes: May you live long and prosper.
The distinction between may (permission) and can (ability) has weakened in casual speech, though some speakers maintain it.
Might is the past tense and also expresses lower probability. (Capitalized May is the month or a name.)
Great physical strength
- couldModal of possibility
- perhapsExpressing uncertainty
- maybeExpression of uncertainty
- potentiallyWith latent possibility
possibly · conceivably · perchance · likelihood · chance · probability · feasibility · contingency
Grant permission for
- permitOfficial written authorization
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- grantBestow or award money
- authorizeGrant formal permission
approve · sanction · license · enable · entitle · empower · endorse · accede
Yearned-for outcome
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- dreamSleeping mind's narrative
- optimismTendency to expect good
- longingIntense, persistent desire
yearning · prayer · blessing · invocation · supplication
might
Great physical strength
potentially · possibly · conceivably · perchance · likelihood · chance · probability · feasibility · contingency · hypothetically
allow
Grant permission for
authorize · approve · sanction · license · enable · entitle · empower · endorse · accede · ratify
wish
Yearned-for outcome
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- dreamSleeping mind's narrative
- optimismTendency to expect good
longing · yearning · prayer · blessing · invocation · supplication
- may as wellNo downside to proceeding
- may IPermission-seeking phrase
- come what mayDespite any consequences
- Theresa MayBritish leader 2016-2019
- may beExpression of uncertainty
- Aunt May