May
May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, falling between April and June. It has 31 days and is associated with the peak of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Examples
3 of 5My birthday is on the tenth of May.
My birthday is on the tenth of May.
The international symposium will commence in late May.
The international symposium will commence in late May.
Let's go hiking when May comes around.
Let's go hiking when May comes around.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember 'M-A-Y': Mother's Always Young. Mother's Day is celebrated in May in many countries.
Quick Quiz
The flowers are beautiful ___ May.
Correct!
The correct answer is: in
Examples
My birthday is on the tenth of May.
everydayMy birthday is on the tenth of May.
The international symposium will commence in late May.
formalThe international symposium will commence in late May.
Let's go hiking when May comes around.
informalLet's go hiking when May comes around.
Historical records indicate the treaty was signed in May 1945.
academicHistorical records indicate the treaty was signed in May 1945.
Please submit your quarterly reports before the end of May.
businessPlease submit your quarterly reports before the end of May.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
April showers bring May flowers
Rainy weather in April results in blooming flowers in May
May Day
A holiday celebrated on May 1st
The merry month of May
A traditional poetic way to describe the month
Often Confused With
The noun 'May' refers to a month and is always capitalized; the verb 'may' expresses possibility or permission.
Usage Notes
Always capitalize 'May' because it is a proper noun referring to a specific month. When referring to a specific day, use the preposition 'on' (on May 5th), but use 'in' for the month alone (in May).
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to capitalize the 'M' or confuse it with the auxiliary verb 'may' used for permission.
Memory Tip
Remember 'M-A-Y': Mother's Always Young. Mother's Day is celebrated in May in many countries.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'Maius', named after the Greek goddess Maia, who was associated with growth and spring.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, May is celebrated as the peak of spring and often features holidays like May Day and Mother's Day.
Quick Quiz
The flowers are beautiful ___ May.
Correct!
The correct answer is: in
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
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lifetime
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Monday
A1Monday is the day of the week between Sunday and Tuesday. In many parts of the world, it is regarded as the first day of the working and school week.
Tuesday
A1Tuesday is the third day of the week, positioned between Monday and Wednesday. In most Western cultures and business environments, it is regarded as the second day of the standard work week.
Thursday
A1Thursday is the day of the week that comes after Wednesday and before Friday. It is typically considered the fourth day of the working week in most Western countries.
Saturday
A1Saturday is the day of the week that follows Friday and comes before Sunday. It is widely considered the first day of the weekend and is typically a day for rest or leisure in many cultures.
Sunday
A1Sunday is the seventh day of the week, positioned between Saturday and Monday. In many parts of the world, it is considered the final day of the weekend and is typically a day for rest or religious activities.
weekend
A1The weekend is the period of time at the end of the week, typically including Saturday and Sunday. It is generally a time when people do not work or attend school and use the time for rest or leisure.
yesterday
A1Yesterday refers to the day immediately before today. It is used to describe events, actions, or states that occurred in the very recent past, specifically one day ago.
day after tomorrow
A1The day that comes after the one that follows today. It refers to a point in time two days into the future from the current day.
day before yesterday
A1The day that occurred immediately before yesterday, referring to two days ago from today. It is used to pinpoint a specific time in the recent past in relation to the current day.
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