- Possibility.
“My boss may be late today”
“He may not come early today”
“He might be listening to music” (if you think he is doing it now)
- Permission (more formal than ‘can’)
“May I open the window?”
- Used to talk about possible actions or happenings in the future. (same as ‘might’ and ‘could’)
“I haven’t decided yet where to go on holiday…I may go to Italy” (= perhaps I will go there)
“Sam may not come to the party” (perhaps will not come)
May (not) have + past participle OR Might (not) have + past participle (Used for the past)
“I may have left my keys in the car. They are not in my pocket”
“I might have left my phone at home. I can’t find it anywhere”