Part2

LEARN TAMIL THROUGH PHONETICS BY D.SINGARAYAN

* Part I

* Part II

* Part III

* Part IV

Table 49.1 Some special uses of 'May'

	English
	Asking for Permission 1. “May I use your phone?” (may=can) “Yes, you may or Yes, ofcourse You may” or "I am afraid not or I'd rather you didn't." “No, I am afraid you can’t.” 2. "May I ask you a question?" "Okay / Yes, go ahead." (or) "Sorry, I haven't got time now."
	Request “May I please speak to the Manager?” “Sure/certainly / of course.” (or) “Sorry, the manager is out right now.”
	Offer 1. “Excuse me, may I help you?” “Yes, thank you.” (or) “No, thank you.” 2. “Good morning. May I help you?” “Yes, My name is singarayan. I'd like a ticket to chennai.” Note : The short answers for accepting and refusing offers and invitations are 'yes, thank you' and 'no, thank you.'
	Speculation about past action He may/might have done that.
	Speculation about undone action You shouldn’t have allowed him to go in the dark. He might have got lost (but he didn’t get lost).
	Speculation about untested action Perhaps we should have bought an Indian car. It might have been cheaper.

Note :

May I use your phone = Can / Could I use your phone?

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