Thing "would" happen and thing "may "happen,what is the difference?
2007-06-02 03:26:16 · 6 answers · asked by swordxka 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
May has several meanings. One states it as a possible choice, something that odds do not preclude, or as a permission given to another.
I may buy a ticket to Seattle in June
It may rain today.
You may cross that line, now.
But the opposite of would--would not--gives its basis as a human choice or potential only, dealing with conditional circumstance.
I would buy a ticket to Seattle if I had the money.
It would rain today if the clouds were thicker.
I would go to the dance with you if you were nice to me.
So, in your example, let's use one natural event and one man-made event s examples.
A storm may happen in June (if conditions are right)
A storm would happen in June if conditions were right.
I may paint a picture or not.
I would paint a picture if I knew how.
May is a future tense only, one of volitional or natural potential.
Would is a fantasy term that can be applied to the past, present or future tenses as a conditional statement volitional or not
I may go to New York next week.
I would have gone, would have been going to Stockholm ten years ago if I had hand the funds.
I would be going there today if someone would pay for the trip.
I would go there anytime.
I would go next year if I get a job with the company I have applied to.
2007-06-02 03:42:15 · answer #1 · answered by Robert David M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mister Woods, Kathryn's seems to be closest in my estimation!
"Would" just like its derivation "will," used in the first person, expresses a strong determination/conviction. "Should" and "shall" used by the same first person "I" expresses less conviction. They all reverse position when used in the third person. May and might behave like can and could in expressing possibility in terms of neither/nor sense. They are referred to and are all conditional words.
Hence, for instance,
"If the lights would go out, I may go to work," which means that I may or may not go to work but it depends on the lights going out. There is no certainty that the lights will go out at the moment but if they did, then bingo, I will go to work immediately.
Sir, I think, "I would call you at 5pm" is different from "I may call you at 5pm" for the reasons aforementioned.
Good luck
2007-06-02 11:18:01 · answer #2 · answered by ari-pup 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That it would happen is a foregone conclusion but it may depend upon the credibility of who is making the conclusions.
Would assumes probability, while may allows for all kinds of possibilities.
2007-06-02 10:34:22 · answer #3 · answered by Ben 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you say, "The lights would go out if the power were shut off," it means it's guaranteed to happen. On the other hand, if you say, "I may go to work if I feel better," it means it might happen.
2007-06-02 10:32:07 · answer #4 · answered by Kathryn 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Would is typically a more of a demanding word and may is less demanding. Would, should, and need are all demanding words. May is less threatening.
2007-06-02 10:31:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
'Would' is more definite whereas 'may' is not as definite.
She WOULD be on the streets if she is fired. (means its going to happen)
She MAY be on the streets if she is fired. (may or may not happen.
2007-06-02 10:30:16 · answer #6 · answered by David 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋