MAY - TO BE ALLOW TO

Modals - Explanation

can

must

We substitute "may" with "to be allowed to".

Affirmative sentences

Tense	Modal	Form
Simple Present	I may play football.	I am allowed to play football. I'm allowed to play football.
Simple Past	Do not use may in the Simple Past.	I was allowed to play football.
will-future	Do not use may in the will-future.	I will be allowed to play football. I'll be allowed to play football.

There are also other tenses possible:
e.g. Present Perfect: I have been allowed to play football.

Negations

Tense	Modal	Form
Simple Present	I may not play football.	I am not allowed to play football. I'm not allowed to play football.
Simple Past	Do not use may not in the Simple Past.	I was not allowed to play football. I wasn't allowed to play football.
will-future	Do not use may not in the will-future.	I will not be allowed to play football. I won't be allowed to play football.

Questions

Tense	Modal	Form
Simple Present	May he play football?	Is he allowed to play football?
Simple Past	Do not use may in the Simple Past.	Was he allowed to play football?
will-future	Do not use may in the will-future.	Will he be allowed to play football?