may've
Could have possibly
May've is a contraction of "may have," used in casual speech and informal writing: I may've left my phone at the restaurant.
Like other contractions with "have" (could've, should've, would've), it's common in spoken English but rarely appears in formal contexts.
Expressing uncertainty
- possiblyWith some likelihood
- maybeExpression of uncertainty
- potentiallyWith latent possibility
- conceivablyWithin imagination's reach
presumably · plausibly · perchance · speculation · uncertainty · likelihood · chance · probability
Contraction of possibility past
- could'vePast possibility contraction
- would'veContracted conditional auxiliary
- should'vePast obligation unfulfilled
- must'veContraction indicating past necessity
wouldn't've · couldn't've · informal · spoken · colloquial · abbreviated · apostrophe · auxiliary
Granted permission to proceed
- permittedGranted leave to proceed
- entitledHaving rightful claim
- authorizedGiven official permission
- sanctionedFormally approved or penalized
granted · approved · consented · licensed · empowered · enabled · privileged · clearance
perhaps
Expressing uncertainty
- possiblyWith some likelihood
- maybeExpression of uncertainty
- potentiallyWith latent possibility
conceivably · presumably · plausibly · perchance · speculation · uncertainty · likelihood · chance · probability · hypothetical
might've
Contraction of possibility past
- could'vePast possibility contraction
- would'veContracted conditional auxiliary
- should'vePast obligation unfulfilled
must've · wouldn't've · couldn't've · informal · spoken · colloquial · abbreviated · apostrophe · auxiliary · modal
allowed
Granted permission to proceed
- permittedGranted leave to proceed
- entitledHaving rightful claim
- authorizedGiven official permission
sanctioned · granted · approved · consented · licensed · empowered · enabled · privileged · clearance · access
may'vemust've
Contraction indicating past necessity
must have · did · didn't · for certain · without doubt