Could vs. May

Couldverb

conditional of can

Couldverb

Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact).

Couldverb

Used to politely ask for permission to do something.

Couldverb

Used to politely ask for someone else to do something.

Couldverb

Used to show the possibility that something might happen.

Couldverb

Used to suggest something.

Couldnoun

Something that could happen, or could be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.

Could

Was, should be, or would be, able, capable, or susceptible. Used as an auxiliary, in the past tense or in the conditional present.

Couldverb

past of can

Couldverb

used to indicate possibility

Couldverb

used in making suggestions or polite requests

Couldverb

used to indicate annoyance because of something that has not been done

Couldverb

used to indicate a strong inclination to do something

Mayverb

To be strong; to have power (over).

Mayverb

To be able; can.

Mayverb

To be able to go.

Mayverb

To have permission to, be allowed. Used in granting permission and in questions to make polite requests.

Mayverb

Expressing a present possibility; possibly.

Mayverb

Expressing a wish (with present subjunctive effect).

Mayverb

Used in modesty, courtesy, or concession, or to soften a question or remark.

Mayverb

To gather may, or flowers in general.

Mayverb

To celebrate May Day.

Maynoun

The hawthorn bush or its blossoms.

Maynoun

(archaic) A maiden.

Mayverb

An auxiliary verb qualifying the meaning of another verb,

Mayverb

Liberty; permission; allowance.

Mayverb

Contingency or liability; possibility or probability.

Mayverb

Modesty, courtesy, or concession, or a desire to soften a question or remark.

Mayverb

Desire or wish, as in prayer, imprecation, benediction, and the like.

Maynoun

A maiden.

Maynoun

The fifth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.

Maynoun

The early part or springtime of life.

Maynoun

The flowers of the hawthorn; - so called from their time of blossoming; also, the hawthorn.

Maynoun

The merrymaking of May Day.

Maynoun

the month following April and preceding June

Maynoun

thorny Eurasian shrub of small tree having dense clusters of white to scarlet flowers followed by deep red berries; established as an escape in eastern North America

Mayverb

expressing possibility

Mayverb

used when admitting that something is so before making another, more important point

Mayverb

used to ask for or to give permission

Mayverb

expressing a wish or hope

Maynoun

the fifth month of the year, in the northern hemisphere usually considered the last month of spring

Maynoun

one's bloom or prime

May

May is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and the third of seven months to have a length of 31 days. May is a month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.