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May, Might & Could in Questions & Negative Form

 May, Might, Could

In the positive form may, might and could can be used to express possibility. In the negative form they have different meanings.

May not and might not are used to say that something negative is possible:

Jane might not be there yet. 

John may not get the promotion.

Could not is used to say that something is NOT possible:

Helen called from work just now. She couldn't be home yet.

Troy couldn't be the man in that photo. He has brown hair, not red.

May in questions

May is not normally used in questions about probability or possibility. It is generally used to ask permission: May I have the day off tomorrow?

To ask about probability or possibility we use likely:

Are you likely to be at the concert on Friday? (NOT May you be at the concert on Friday?)