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For past time, the modal verb
may is used in quite differently
in direct speech and in indirect speech.
Direct Speech
In direct speech, may is used
only to give information about
possibility--not both possibility
and permission.
To show possibility in the past, use may + have + the
past
participle (third form) of the verb.
Examples: may =
possibility in the past
A:
B: |
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Where's
George?
I don't know. He may have gone home.
(It's possible that George went home.) |
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A:
B: |
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Was Lily at
the party?
I'm not sure. She may have been there.
(It's possible
that she was there.) |
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A:
B: |
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Why aren't Joe
and his girlfriend speaking
to each other?
I'm not sure. They may have had a disagreement
about
something. (It's possible that they had
a disagreement
about something.) |
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Indirect Speech
In indirect (quoted or reported)
speech, may often changes
to might if the main verb is in a past tense.
Examples:
may -----> might (because
of the tense of the main verb):
Bob: "May I go with you?" (direct speech)
Bob asked if he might
go with us. (indirect speech) |
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Ted:
"Yes, you may borrow my car." (direct speech)
Ted told me that I might
borrow his car. (indirect speech) |
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Sheila:
"I may be late." (direct speech)
Sheila stated that she might
be late. (indirect speech) |
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Special
Notes:
| 1. |
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maybe and may have
Maybe can also be used to give information
about possibilities in the past.
Examples:
He may have gone home. /
Maybe
he went home.
She may have been there. /
Maybe
she was there.
I may have met him. I don't remember. /
Maybe I met him. I don't remember.
A:
B: |
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Was Bob angry?
I don't
know. Maybe. /
He may have been. |
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A:
B: |
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Did
Sheila forget about our meeting?
I
don't know. Maybe. /
She may have. |
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| 2. |
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May have does not refer to
permission in the past.
Examples:
"He may have left the
room" means "Maybe he
left the room"
or "It's possible that he left the room."
It
does not mean "He had permission to leave
the room."
"She may have borrowed
your car" means "It's
possible that
she borrowed your car" or "Maybe
she
borrowed your car." It does not
mean "She
had permission to borrow your car."
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