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The two modal verbs, may and might, are often confused. Both can be used to indicate possibility or permission, but they have different meanings.
Tense
Using may and might incorrectly is one of the most common grammar mistakes in English. May is a modal verb that expresses the possibility of something happening, while might indicates a lesser degree of certainty.
When referring to past hypothetical events, you can use might for the past tense. For example, ‘She might have been there if she had arrived on time.’
However, you should never use might have with a present tense verb such as ‘be’ or ‘have.’ Rather, you should use the past participle of the main verb: ‘He might be there now’ or ‘She might have been working at home’.
In some circumstances, you can also use might to ask for permission. However, it is typically used in response to a question with an uncertain answer. For example, ‘May I use your restroom?’
Probability
In most cases, the words may and might can be used interchangeably to express probability. However, they can also be paired with negatives and different tenses to convey a certain degree of certainty or improbability. For example, the sentence “Kevin might not rewatch The Sopranos” implies that there is a decent chance that he won’t do so, as opposed to “he may not rewatch The Sopranos.”
It is important to understand the difference between these two modal verbs to ensure clarity in your writing and conversations. In most instances, the line between may and might is clear, as they both carry a high level of probability. Nevertheless, there are some instances in which the past tense of might can be used to express possibility as well as permission. In such situations, it is best to avoid using the permissive may. Instead, use might in order to maintain clarity and accuracy. Also, make sure to check out Grammarly’s online proofreading tool which can help you avoid spelling errors and wordiness.
Permission
Grammarly is one of the most robust online editors that offers premium editing services. It is highly secured and keeps all the writing that you submit encrypted. However, like any other software program, it isn’t flawless and can make mistakes from time to time.
While both can and might are modal verbs that indicate possibility and permission, they have distinct differences and should not be used interchangeably. May conveys a high probability of something happening, while might implies less certainty and applies to hypothetical situations.
If you want to avoid confusion, use might when expressing a possibility that is not likely to happen and may for probable events. Also, remember to use may when asking for permission and might when granting permission. These small distinctions can make a big difference in the clarity of your writing.
Context
Grammarly is one of the best tools available to improve your writing. The premium version includes features that help you write clear, engaging articles. The software also polishes your vocabulary and provides suggestions for sentence structure improvement. It even helps you understand why it corrects certain words and phrasing.
However, the software can be inconsistent in its corrections. It can have a rigid outlook on how sentences should be constructed, and some of its corrections can be confusing. For example, it can dislike the word “really,” and sometimes its suggestions don’t gel with the context.
The difference between may and might is subtle, but it’s important to use the right word in the right context. Understanding these differences will ensure that your writing and conversations are clear. Use may when you’re expressing a high probability and might when you’re indicating a lower probability. Using the wrong word can confuse your readers and lead to miscommunication.