The Complete Guide to “May Be” Modal Verbs: Usage, Examples & Practice

Introduction to “May Be”

The phrase “may be” is a crucial modal verb construction in English used to express possibility, permission, or uncertainty. Unlike “might be” which suggests lower probability, “may be” indicates a 50-50 chance or formal permission. This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, grammatical rules, usage with Hindi translations, and practice exercises.

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Table of Contents

1. Meaning of “May Be”
2. Grammatical Rules & Sentence Structures
3. Detailed Usage with Examples (English-Hindi Table)
4. Difference Between “May Be” and “Might Be”
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
6. Practice Exercises (Test Questions)
7. Conclusion

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1. Meaning of “May Be”

“May be” is used to express:

• Possibility (संभावना)
  Example: She may be at home. (वह घर पर हो सकती है।)
• Formal Permission (औपचारिक अनुमति)
  Example: You may be excused. (आपको छूट दी जा सकती है।)
• Uncertainty (अनिश्चितता)
  Example: It may be true. (यह सच हो सकता है।)

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2. Grammatical Rules & Structures

Sentence Formation with “May Be”

Sentence Type	Structure	Example	Hindi Translation
Affirmative	Subject + may be + adjective/noun	He may be busy.	वह व्यस्त हो सकता है।
Negative	Subject + may not be + adjective/noun	It may not be easy.	यह आसान नहीं हो सकता।
Interrogative	May + subject + be + adjective/noun?	May I be excused?	क्या मुझे छूट दी जा सकती है?

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3. Detailed Usage with Examples (English-Hindi Table)

S.No	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	The train may be late today.	आज ट्रेन लेट हो सकती है।
2	She may be the new manager.	वह नई मैनेजर हो सकती हैं।
3	It may be raining in Delhi.	दिल्ली में बारिश हो सकती है।
4	He may be telling the truth.	वह सच बोल रहा हो सकता है।
5	This may be your last chance.	यह आपका आखिरी मौका हो सकता है।
6	May I be allowed to leave early?	क्या मुझे जल्दी जाने की अनुमति दी जा सकती है?
7	The package may be delivered tomorrow.	पैकेज कल डिलीवर हो सकता है।
8	You may be right about this.	आप इस बारे में सही हो सकते हैं।
9	The news may be fake.	खबर नकली हो सकती है।
10	They may be coming by car.	वे कार से आ रहे हो सकते हैं।

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4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

 Incorrect: She may be comes late.
 Correct: She may be late.

 Incorrect: May be he is right?
 Correct: May he be right?

 Incorrect: This may be happens.
 Correct: This may happen.

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5. Practice Exercises (Test Questions)

Section 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. The meeting __________ postponed.
2. She __________ the right candidate.
3. __________ this information correct?
4. The flight __________ delayed due to weather.
5. They __________ waiting at the station.

Section 2: Translate into Hindi

6. The exam may be difficult this year.
7. May I be permitted to speak?
8. He may be the thief.
9. The food may be stale.
10. You may be promoted next month.

Section 3: Rewrite Using “May Be”

11. Perhaps he is unwell.
12. Is it possible that she knows?
13. There’s a chance the event is cancelled.
14. Possibly they are lost.
15. It’s possible that the email is spam.

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6. Conclusion

“May be” is a versatile modal verb phrase used for possibilities, formal permissions, and uncertainties. Mastering it will enhance your English fluency in both formal and informal contexts.

Need clarification? Ask in the comments!