These are the only forms of the verb may.

Alice may expect you to wait for her. You may use my book if you like.

In the first sentence, expecting is asserted and the infinitive expect is the predicate attribute. May is a copulative verb. Besides asserting, it shows doubt in the mind of the speaker (Exercise 15 and § 24). The sentence means Alice does perhaps expect us to wait for her. The words may expect are a verb phrase.

In the second sentence, the receiving of permission is asserted. May expresses this and is an attributive transitive verb. The infinitive use is the object, showing the thing permitted, and may use is not a verb phrase.

Might, also, is sometimes a copulative verb expressing doubt in the speaker's mind. Sometimes it is an attributive verb expressing permission granted to the subject of thought.

Exercise 300

Explain the use of may and might in each sentence and tell whether it is or is not a part of a verb phrase.

1. You may play now.

2. Bluebirds may arrive in February.

3. You may go if you please, but you may regret it.

4. Mother said that I might invite her to the party.

5. I thought that you might remember the matter.

6. She said that the bird might be a kinglet.

7. I asked if I might use her telephone.