may not/might not

当助动词 may 作“允许”解时, 否定词 not 一般是否定助动词 may 的, 例如:

1. Dogs may not be taken into these carriages. (Eckersley) (Dogs are not allowed to be taken into these carriages.) 不允许把狗带进车里。

2. People may not pick flowers in this park. (Eckersley) 这个公园里禁止摘花。

3. You may not smoke in here. 在这儿你不许抽烟。

但是,当助动词 may 作“可能”解时,否定词 not 一般是否定其后面的成分的。例如:

1. He may not be there. (Palmer) (It is possible that... not) 他可能不在那儿。

2. The teacher may not be serious. 老师可能不是当真的。

3. You might not have met my grandfather. (Leech) 你可能没见过我的祖父。