Might and May: Possibility
We use might and may to say that something is possible, but we are not sure. They show that we don't have full certainty about the present or future.
Structure
- Positive: Subject + might/may + base verb. Example: It might rain later.
- Negative: Subject + might not / may not + base verb. Example: She may not come tonight.
- No 's' is added, and no 'to' follows might/may, the same as other modal verbs.
How the Grammar Works
- Use 'might' or 'may' when you are not sure something will happen — it's a guess, not a fact.
- 'Might' and 'may' are very close in meaning; 'may' can sound slightly more formal, but both are common and correct.
- The negative forms are 'might not' and 'may not' — we do not usually shorten them to 'mightn't' or 'mayn't' in everyday English.
- Use them to talk about present or future possibility, not the past (the past form is different and not covered here).
Common Use Cases
- Guessing about the future: We might go to the beach tomorrow.
- Saying something is uncertain right now: He might be at work still.
- Politely saying something is possible but not planned: I may need to leave early.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Adding 'to' after might/may: Incorrect: "It might to rain." Correct: "It might rain."
- Confusing 'might' with 'must' (certainty vs possibility): "He must be tired" (I'm almost sure) is different from "He might be tired" (it's just possible).
- Using might/may for permission in the past sense without context — for asking permission now, 'may I' is more common than 'might I'.
Comparison with Related Grammar
'Might/may' show weaker certainty than 'will' ('It will rain' = sure) and are softer guesses than 'should' ('It should rain' = expected, based on evidence). Use 'might/may' when you genuinely don't know what will happen.
Example Sentences
- I might visit my parents this weekend.
- She may not answer, she's usually busy at this time.
- They might be stuck in traffic.
- May I ask you a question?
- We might not finish the project on time.
May vs Might: What's the Difference?
'May' and 'might' are very close in meaning, and in everyday conversation people often use them interchangeably. But there is a small difference: 'may' can sound slightly more formal and is sometimes used when the possibility feels a bit more likely, while 'might' often suggests a slightly smaller or more distant possibility. Example: 'It may rain tomorrow' (a real possibility) vs 'It might rain, but I doubt it' (a smaller chance). In practice, both are correct and understood the same way by most speakers — don't worry too much about choosing the "perfect" one.
When to Use This Rule
Use 'might' and 'may' when you want to say something is possible, but you are not certain. It's a guess, not a promise or a fact.