May and Might
May and might are sophisticated modal verbs that express possibility, probability, and formal permission in English. These versatile modals allow you to discuss uncertain situations, make tentative suggestions, and navigate formal social interactions with appropriate politeness and precision. Understanding their subtle differences is crucial for sophisticated English communication.
Both modals express uncertainty, but with different degrees of confidence and formality. May suggests a stronger possibility and is more formal, whilst might indicates a weaker possibility or more tentative suggestion. In formal contexts, may is the preferred choice for requesting permission, whilst might is excellent for diplomatic suggestions and hypothetical scenarios.
These modals are essential for academic writing, professional communication, and polite conversation where you need to express uncertainty without appearing definitive. They help you hedge your statements, show respect for others' opinions, and maintain appropriate levels of formality in different social and professional contexts.
Mastering may and might will elevate your English from direct and casual to nuanced and sophisticated. These modals are particularly important for expressing diplomatic uncertainty, making polite requests in formal situations, and demonstrating the kind of linguistic sophistication expected in academic, professional, and cultured social environments.
Formation
May
Subject + may + base verb
Stronger possibility, formal permission, and polite suggestions
Possibility:
- It may rain this afternoon.
- She may be late for the meeting.
- The results may surprise you.
- We may need more time.
Permission:
- May I come in?
- May I ask a question?
- You may leave early today.
- Students may use calculators.
Negative:
- It may not be true.
- She may not understand.
- You may not smoke here.
- They may not arrive today.
Might
Subject + might + base verb
Weaker possibility, tentative suggestions, and hypothetical situations
Weak possibility:
- It might snow tomorrow.
- He might call later.
- The plan might work.
- She might change her mind.
Suggestions:
- You might try calling her.
- We might consider other options.
- It might be worth checking.
- They might prefer meeting later.
Negative:
- It might not be possible.
- She might not agree.
- They might not have time.
- The weather might not improve.
Perfect Forms (Past Speculation)
Subject + may/might + have + past participle
Speculation about past events and possibilities that may have occurred
May have (stronger past possibility):
- She may have missed the train.
- They may have forgotten about the meeting.
- The package may have been delivered.
- He may have left early.
Might have (weaker past possibility):
- She might have taken a different route.
- They might have changed their plans.
- The meeting might have been cancelled.
- He might have misunderstood.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ "She may to come tomorrow."
✅ "She may come tomorrow."
Don't use 'to' after modal verbs - they take the base form
❌ "It maybe rain today."
✅ "It may rain today. / Maybe it will rain today."
'Maybe' (one word) is an adverb; 'may' is the modal verb
❌ "Do you may help me?"
✅ "May you help me? / Could you help me?"
Don't use 'do' with modal verbs in questions
❌ "She mights be late."
✅ "She might be late."
Modal verbs don't take 's' for third person singular
❌ "I will may come tomorrow."
✅ "I may come tomorrow. / I might be able to come tomorrow."
Don't combine modal verbs - use one or rephrase
Degrees of Possibility
From most to least certain:
Formality in Permission Requests
Very formal (traditional):
- May I have a word?
- May I ask a question?
- May I suggest something?
Best for: Academic, ceremonial, very formal business
Polite standard:
- Could I ask you something?
- Would you mind if I...?
- Is it okay if I...?
Best for: Professional, polite social situations
Casual:
- Can I borrow this?
- Mind if I sit here?
- Okay if I leave early?
Best for: Friends, family, informal situations
May vs Might: Subtle Differences
Present possibility:
"She may be at home. (more likely) vs She might be at home. (less likely)"
Future possibility:
"It may rain tomorrow. (50% chance) vs It might rain tomorrow. (30% chance)"
Suggestions:
"You may want to reconsider. (stronger advice) vs You might want to think about it. (gentler suggestion)"
Past speculation:
"She may have left early. (reasonable possibility) vs She might have forgotten. (weaker possibility)"
Might in Conditional Contexts
Second conditional (hypothetical):
"If I had more time, I might learn Spanish. (weak possibility in unreal situation)"
After 'if' clauses:
"If you leave now, you might catch the train. (possible but not certain)"
Polite warnings:
"You might want to be careful with that. (gentle warning)"
Quick Reference Guide
Key Points:
- May: Stronger possibility (50%), formal permission, polite offers
- Might: Weaker possibility (30%), tentative suggestions, hypothetical situations
- Formality: May is more formal, might is more tentative
- Permission: "May I...?" is the most formal request form
- Past speculation: May/might + have + past participle
- Negative: May not / might not (never "mayn't" or "mightn't")
- Academic writing: Essential for hedging and avoiding overstatement
- Maybe vs may be: "Maybe" (adverb) vs "may be" (modal + verb)
- Conditional: Might is common after 'if' and in hypothetical situations
Related Lessons
Should, Ought To, and Had better
Master advice, recommendations, and expectations with should, ought to, and had better.
Can, Could, and Be Able To
Master ability, possibility, and permission with can, could, and be able to.
Modal Perfect Forms
Master past speculation, deduction, and criticism with modal perfect forms.
Will and Would
Master future predictions, requests, and hypothetical situations with will and would.