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Might or May?
Might or May?
What is the difference between "might" and "may"?"Might" and "may" can be used interchangeably when they express the idea of possibility. However, here are three considerations:
- (1) Many English speakers treat "may" as more likely than "might." For example:
- Sarah may be present at the party. John might be present too.
- (2) Be aware that "may" can express the idea of permission. When this creates ambiguity, use "might." For example:
- Sarah may use the swimming pool.
- Sarah may use the swimming pool.
- (3) Nowadays, "might have" and "may have" can also be used interchangeably, but historically (in the 19th century) "might have" was more common. As a result, "might have" still sounds more natural to some. For example:
- Sarah may have spoken to the CEO.
- Sarah might have spoken to the CEO.
- I might go to the concert.
- I may go to the concert.
- May I go to the concert? (This means the same as "Am I allowed to go to the concert?")
- I may go to the concert. (This is ambiguous. Does it mean "I am allowed to go to the concert" or does it mean "I might go to the concert"?)
- I might go to the concert.
- I am allowed to go to the concert.
- I might have cooked a lasagne if you hadn't called.
- I may have cooked a lasagne if you hadn't called.
- The mites may have caused the infection.


Is "May" More Likely Than "Might"?
Look at these two sentences:However, be aware that some of your readers could treat "may" as more likely than "might." In other words, with the first example above, they could treat the likelihood of you attending the concert as, let's say, a 40% possibility. However, with the second example (the one with "may"), they could treat this as, let's say, a 60% possibility. You should not think of "weighting the possibility" as the difference between "might" and "may" though — most people do not apply that idea these days.
Eliminate Ambiguity with "May"
Be aware that may can be used for permission.For example:
For example:
For example:
Use "Might" in the Past Tense
Nowadays, you can safely use "might have" and "may have" interchangeably. However, be aware that some pedants might insist that only "might have" can be used in the past tense . To placate those people, you should opt for "might have" over "may have."For example:
For example:
They're Auxiliary (or Helping) Verbs
"Might" and "may" are classified as auxiliary verbs (also called "helping verbs." ("Can," "have," "would," "should," and "could" are also auxiliary verbs.) A helping verb accompanies another verb in order to help express its tense or mood.Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?