What is the Difference Between May and Must?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between "may" and "must" is that "may" talks about possibilities and probabilities, while "must" talks about a great chance of occurrence or a necessity.
- May: This modal verb is mainly used to talk about giving and asking for permission, possibilities, and making offers. It implies that there is a lesser chance of occurrence or possibility. For example: "She may have bribed the judge."
- Must: This modal verb is mainly used to show that something is a necessity or to talk about likely events and suggestions. It implies a higher chance of occurrence or necessity. For example: "You must attend the meeting."
In summary:
- "May" is used to express possibilities or probabilities with a lesser chance of occurrence.
- "Must" is used to express necessities or probabilities with a greater chance of occurrence.
Comparative Table: May vs Must
The main difference between "may" and "must" is that "may" talks about possibilities and permissions, while "must" talks about strong obligations or necessities. Here is a table summarizing their differences:
Feature | May | Must |
---|---|---|
Meaning | Indicates a possibility or permission | Indicates a strong obligation or necessity |
Conditional Type 1 | ✓ | ✓ |
Conditional Type 2 | ✗ | ✗ |
Conditional Type 3 | ✗ | ✗ |
Zero Conditional | ✗ | ✗ |
Both "may" and "must" can be used in Conditional Type 1, which shows a condition and the results that follow. These conditions are real situations with a high chance of occurrence. However, "may" is used to talk about giving and asking for permission, possibilities, and making offers, while "must" is used to show that something is a necessity, talk about likely events, and suggestions.
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