I.may可以用来表示
1.(可不)可以:
May I ask you a question?
我能问你一个问题吗?
You may go now.
你现在可以走了。
2.可能,或许(表推测):
She may not be at home now.
她可能不在家。
He may have gone abroad.
他可能出国了。
I may be late for a few minutes.
我可能会迟到几分钟。
may也可以用在表示目的等的状语从句中(a)或用来表示祝愿(b):
1) Write to her so that she may know our address.
给她写封信址让她知道我们的地址。
2)May you have a long and happy life!
祝你幸福长寿!
II.might可用作may的过去式表示:
1.可以:
He a sked whether he might use our phone.
他问可否用我们的电话。
He thought he might have a try.
他想他可以试一试。
2.可能,或许:
I thought mother might like the idea.
我想妈可能会赞成这个想法。
She was afraid he might not agree.
她怕他或许不赞成。
might也可用来代替may,使口气显得更委婉或不肯定,表示:
1)可以:
Might I have a cup of coffee?
我可否要一杯咖啡。
You might sit by my side.
你可以坐我旁边。
2)可能,或许:
The paper says that it might rain.
报纸说可能要下雨。
She might have forgotten about it.
她或许忘了这件事。
此外还可用在某些从句中(a)或条件句中(b):
a.He died so that others might live.
他死了使别人能活下来。
b.If I were her,I might agree.
如果我是她我可能会同意。