Pattern: may-not-verb

Structure Overview

Formula: may + not + Base Verb
Core Meaning: Used to express negative possibility (something is possible not to happen) or strict, formal prohibition (denying permission). Note that "mayn't" is extremely rare in modern English; "may not" is the standard.

💬 Contextual Examples

Passengers may not smoke on board the aircraft.
He may not want to come to the party if his ex-girlfriend is there.

🎴 Interactive Web Practice (Click to Reveal)

Practice 1: Visitors may ______ feed the animals at the zoo.

Answer: not

Practice 2: We may not ______ enough time to finish this project today.

Answer: have

🔗 Knowledge Base Connections

🔑 Parent Keyword: may