May and Might

Using may and might is another way to talk about possible activities or happenings in the future:

  • I'm not sure I'll go to the party. I may be away.
  • Don't drop by at 7.20. I might be watching TV.
  • Prepare something to eat. Mr. Johnson might be hungry.
  • We may not be able to go to school this week

There isn't much difference between the two. So you can say:

  • John might be at home or John may be at home.
  • I may visit Mary or I might visit Mary.

 However, when the situation is  not real only might can be used:

  • If I were a bit smarter, I might go to college. (The speaker won't become smarter, so the situation is not real)

 

If you want to emphasize progression of a situation, you may use the continuous form of may/might. Actually you can see an example above:

  • Don't drop by at 7.20. I might /might be watching TV.

If you're using the reported speech, may become might.

  • "I may be late," said Frank. REPORTED SPEECH: Frank said that he might be late.

Read about Modals in the Reported Speech.

 

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Anonymous (not verified)

What is the basic diffrence between them ?



Mark
Mark's picture

Sentences formed with might are less likely to happen than those with may. For example:

I may be away at 10 p.m. (35% likelihood)

I might be away at 10 p.m. (20% likelihood)

Of course, these figures may vary depending on the situation.

 




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