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It’s important to know the difference between “may” and “might.” Using the right word can make a big difference in clarity and style.
May is a modal auxiliary verb
May is a modal verb that can be used in conjunction with other verbs to express possibility, doubt, or advisability. It can also be used as a present or past tense. It can also be used with nouns to express probability, such as he might be a thief or she might have been the thief. It can also be used to describe hypothetical or counterfactual situations, such as if John Lennon had not been shot, the Beatles might have gotten back together.
When using modals, it is important to know the difference between may and can. Although some people use these words interchangeably to express permission, it is best to avoid this mistake. Using can instead of may can confuse listeners and readers, as it can suggest that the speaker is asking for permission to do something illegal.
Might is a past tense verb
When a situation is possible but not certain, use modal verbs like could or might to express probability. For example, “It seems likely that it will rain today,” or, “She may become the youngest pro soccer player ever.” You can also use should and must to show that something is probable but not necessarily true.
While both may and might express possibility, might is a better word for past hypotheticals. It suggests a less-than-certain likelihood of an event occurring and hints at permission, whereas may implies that a person is allowed to do something.
When a person is unlikely to do something, you should use might rather than may. For example, if someone does not have the key to your house, you might say, “Jack might have it.” This would be less likely to cause confusion than saying, “May I borrow your keys?” or, “Jack could have it.” You should never use may in place of might when asking for permission, however.
May is a noun
The English language has many rules, but sometimes it’s difficult to remember them all. This is especially true when it comes to modals, such as may and might. Using these words incorrectly can confuse readers and create confusion. However, with a few key writing tips, you can avoid this problem and make your writing clearer.
For example, you should use may to express a high probability of something happening. For example, you could say “Yes, Deon may go to the movies tonight.” You should also use might to indicate a lower probability of something happening. For example, you might say “She might not go to the picnic.”
Another important rule is that you should never use might and may have interchangeably. You should only use the past tense of might when it is appropriate, such as when it’s unclear whether something could have happened, like He might have had a chance to become CEO, or She might have come if you had invited her.
Might is a verb
You can use might to indicate that something is possible but you cannot be certain. For example, you can say that your child might do better with a different teacher or that the suit looks as though it might contain polyester. You can also use might in conjunction with a past participle to express uncertainty about a past circumstance or when giving a possible explanation for it.
The modal verbs might and could are cognates of must and can. They can also function at times as the past tense forms of the other modal verbs, such as would and shall. For instance, we can say “She might have eaten cake” or “She might have been able to ride a bike.” In addition, speakers can show degree of certainty or uncertainty through intonation and stress. For example, the phrase, “She might have been able to ride her bike” conveys greater uncertainty than “She might have been able to eat the cheesecake.” The latter statement implies that she is very likely to eat it.