Can and cannot (or can’t ) are the most common words used for asking for, giving or refusing permission.can和cannot(或can't)是表示请求、给予或拒绝许可的最通用词:
Can I borrow your calculator?
我可以借用你的计算器吗?
You can come with us if you want to.
如果你愿意可以跟我们一起来。
You can’t park your car there.
你不能在那儿停车。
May (negative may not ) is used as a polite and fairly formal way to ask for or give permission.现代英语几乎不用mayn't。
May I borrow your newspaper?
把你的报纸借我看行吗?
You may come if you wish.
如果你愿意可以来。
Visitors may use the swimming pool between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
访客从早上7:00到下午7:00可在游泳池游泳。
Students may not use the college car park.
学生不得在学院停车场停车。
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She may need your help with some business matters .
她也许需要你帮助处理一些业务方面的事情。
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It may take years to be completely accepted by the local community .
也许需要多年方能被当地居民完全接纳。
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I have some information you may be able to use .
我有些可能对你有用的信息。
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The last time I saw him was in May .
我上次见到他是在五月份。
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Someone might find out , and that would never do .
也许有人会发现,那是绝对不行的。
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Try his home number ─ he might just be there .
试试他家的号码——他也许在那儿。
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We began work on the project in May .
我们于五月份启动了这项工程。
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You may need to give the floor a rub-down with glasspaper .
你可能得用玻璃砂纸打磨一下地板。
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Don 't go ─ I might need you .
别走——我可能要你帮忙。
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Use of these chemicals may present a fire risk .
使用这些化学品可能有失火的危险。
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The situation might all too easily have become a disaster .
这形势本来是很可能成为一场大灾难的。
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He might get there in time , but I can 't be sure .
他有可能准时到达,但我不敢肯定。
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This speech may mark a change in government policy .
这篇演讲表明政府的政策可能会有变化。
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May I borrow it for a day or two ?
这个我可以借用一两天吗?
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If we take the lead in this , others may follow .
如果我们在这方面带头行动,其余的人就会跟着来。
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You may well be right .
你很可能是对的。
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That may or may not be true .
这可能是真的,也可能不是。
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It 's a long shot , but it just might work .
没有什么把握,但也许行得通。
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In practical terms this law may be difficult to enforce .
从实际的角度来看,这项法律可能难以执行。
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May I take your order ?
您现在点菜吗?
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Their foreign policy is based on the principle that ' might is right ' .
他们的外交政策遵循“强权即公理”的原则。
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The research shows that computer games may cause aggression .
研究显示,电脑游戏可能引起好斗情绪。
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We might buy it but then again we might not .
我们可能买,不过也可能不买。
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May I refer you to my letter of 14 May ?
你查看一下我5月14日给你的信好吗?
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Art may be used as a vehicle for propaganda .
艺术可以用作宣传的工具。
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The cancer cells may invade other parts of the body .
癌细胞可能扩散到身体的其他部位。
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This may take longer than we thought .
这事花的时间也许比我们预料的要多些。
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You may not enter the security area without authorization .
未经批准不得进入警戒地区。
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The point of my question may not be immediately apparent .
我的问题的要点可能不是一下子就能看出来的。
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The doctor may allow her to return to work next week .
医生也许会允许她下周回去上班。