s meaning may also be rendered by means of the attitudinal adverbs perhaps and maybe.the meaning of supposition implying uncertainty the verb may occurs in affirmative and negative sentences.2: He may be at home.2: Він може бути дома3: He may not be at home 3: Можливо, що його немає вдома.
Example 4: Two factors may temporarily have increased their caution. (W. Faulkner) [p.23]
Translation 4: Два фактори, можливо, тимчасово збільшили своє попередження.
In this meaning may can be followed by different forms of the infinitive depending on the time reference expressed.in combination with the simple infinitive usually refers the action to the future.5: He may come soon.5 : Він може скоро пріехатьin combination with the Continuous infinitive of dynamic verbs refers the action to the present.6: It s too late to phone him now. He may be sleeping.
Translation 6: Дуже пізно подзвонити йому зараз. Він може спати. p align="justify"> Example 7: I never see him about now. For all I know, he may be writing a book. 7: Я ніколи не бачу його тепер. Хто знає, він може пише книгу. p align="justify"> May in combination with the Perfect infinitive refers the action to the past.8: What s happened to the dog ? I asked. It isn t here. His master may have taken it with him. (M. Spark.) [P.99]
Translation 8: Що сталося з собакою? Я запитав. Він не тут. Його господар, можливо, взяв його з собою. combination of may with the Perfect infinitive may also indicate an action begun in the past and continued into the moment of speaking. This is usually found with stative verbs.9: He may have been at home from about two hours. 9: Він, можливо, був удома приблизно близько двох годин.
However, if may is followed by a dynamic verb, the Perfect Continuous infinitive is used.10: He may have been waiting for us for an hour. 10: Він, можливо, чекав нас протягом години. p align="justify"> In the meaning of supposition implying uncertainty, the form might is also found. It differs from the form may in that it emphasizes the idea of ​​uncertainty. It may be followed by the simple, Continuous or Perfect infinitive.11: He might come soon. He might be ill. He might be doing his lesson now. He might have spoken to her yesterday.11: Він міг скоро приїхати. Він міг би бути хворим. Він міг робити свій урок тепер. Він, можливо, вчора говорив з нею. p align="justify">) possibility due to circumstances1: You may order a taxi by telephone. 1: Ви можете замовити таксі по телефону. p align="jus...
