When it comes to learning English, the subtle differences between words can make all the difference. One such example is the difference between “may” and “might”. While they may seem interchangeable, there are actually distinct differences between the two words that can affect the meaning of a sentence.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “may” and “might” and how to use them properly. We’ll cover the various contexts in which each word is appropriate, as well as common mistakes to avoid. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of these two words and be able to use them with confidence in your own writing and speech.
May vs. Might
The two commonly confused words actually have slightly different meanings.
Possibility
May is used to express what is possible, factual, or could be factual.
Examples:
- The problem may be solved in a number of different ways.
- You may go home now, John.
Might is used to express what is hypothetical, counterfactual, or remotely possible.
Examples:
- I might be a few minutes late.
- He might be able to help you.
Permission
May and might can also both be used when asking for permission.
Asking for Permission
When asking for permission, may is much more common than might. While both of these words can be used to ask permission, if you’re not careful, they can lead to ambiguity.
Examples:
- May I come in and wait?
- May I go to the movies tonight?
- Might I make a modest suggestion?
Giving permission
Examples:
- Thank you. You may go now.
- You may sit down or stand, just as you wish.
Requests and Suggestions
When politely or formally making a request, asking for information, or making a suggestion, might is regarded as preferable to may.
Examples:
- May we use your office for a few minutes?
- Might I borrow your pen?
- If you need more information, you might try the Internet.
Wish
If you want to express a wish or hope, then may is always the correct word to use.
Examples:
- May I have the bill, please?
May
In English grammar, “may” is a modal verb that is used to express possibility or permission. It is often used to indicate that something is possible but not certain. Here are some examples:
- We may go to the beach tomorrow if the weather is nice.
- You may leave early today if you finish your work on time.
- He may be sick, which is why he didn’t come to work today.
As you can see, “may” is often used to express a degree of uncertainty or speculation. It can also be used to make polite requests or to give permission. For example:
- May I borrow your pen?
- You may use my computer if you need to.
In some cases, “may” can also be used to indicate a wish or a hope. For example:
- May you have a happy birthday!
- May all your dreams come true!
Might
In English grammar, “might” is a modal verb that is used to express possibility or probability. It is often used interchangeably with “may”, but there is a slight difference between the two. The main difference is that “might” is used to express a lower degree of probability than “may”.
“Might” is used to describe hypothetical or uncertain situations. It can be used to suggest a possibility or to express doubt about something. For example, “He might be late for the meeting” suggests that there is a possibility that he will be late, but it is not certain.
“Might” can also be used to make polite requests or suggestions. For example, “Might I borrow your pen?” is a polite way to ask for a pen.
It is important to note that “might” is the past tense of “may”. Therefore, it is often used to refer to past events or actions that did not happen. For example, “If she had studied harder, she might have passed the test” suggests that she did not pass the test because she did not study hard enough.
Examples of May in Sentences
As we mentioned earlier, “may” is used to express possibility or likelihood. It can be used in various tenses, depending on the context of the sentence.
Let’s start with some examples in the present tense:
- We may go to the beach this weekend if the weather is nice.
- She may be running late for the meeting.
- The restaurant may have a long waiting list on weekends.
As you can see, “may” is used to express a possibility or likelihood in the present tense. It can be used to talk about plans, schedules, or situations that are not certain.
Moving on to the past tense, “may” can be used to talk about something that was possible or likely in the past:
- He may have forgotten his keys at home.
- The package may have been delivered yesterday.
In these examples, “may” is used to express a possibility or likelihood in the past. It can be used to talk about events or situations that are uncertain or unknown.
Finally, “may” can also be used to make polite requests or suggestions:
- May I borrow your pen for a moment?
- You may want to consider taking a break from work.
In these examples, “may” is used to make a polite request or suggestion. It is a more formal way of asking or suggesting something, compared to using “can” or “could”.
Examples of Might in Sentences
Now that we have discussed the difference between “may” and “might,” let’s take a look at some examples of “might” in sentences.
- “If I study hard, I might pass the exam.” In this sentence, “might” is used to express a possibility or uncertainty.
- “She might be running late.” Here, “might” is used to express a possibility or uncertainty about someone else’s actions or situation.
- “I might have left my keys at home.” In this sentence, “might” is used to express a possibility or uncertainty about a past event.
- “If it rains, we might have to cancel the picnic.” In this sentence, “might” is used to express a possibility or uncertainty about a future event.
- “I might go to the gym later.” Here, “might” is used to express a possibility or uncertainty about a future action.
It is important to note that “might” is often used in hypothetical or less likely situations, whereas “may” is used in more probable or certain situations. However, the distinction between the two can be subtle and context-dependent.
Frequently Asked Questions on May vs. Might
What is the difference between may and might in usage?
May and might are both modal verbs that express possibility. However, may is used to express a stronger possibility, while might is used to express a weaker possibility. For example, “I may go to the party tonight” suggests a higher likelihood of going than “I might go to the party tonight.”
When should I use may instead of might?
May is generally used in the present tense, while might is used in the past tense or to express a more tentative possibility. For example, “I may go to the party” is appropriate for a present possibility, while “I might have gone to the party” is appropriate for a past possibility.
What is the past tense of may?
May does not have a past tense form. Instead, the past tense of may is expressed using the phrase “might have.” For example, “I might have gone to the party last night.”
Is it correct to say ‘may of’ instead of ‘may have’?
No, it is not correct to say “may of.” The correct phrase is “may have.” Using “may of” is a common mistake that should be avoided.
Can may and might be used interchangeably?
May and might are not always interchangeable. As mentioned earlier, may suggests a stronger possibility than might. Additionally, may is used more frequently in the present tense, while might is used more frequently in the past tense.
Which is stronger: may or might?
May is generally considered to be stronger than might, as it suggests a higher likelihood of the possibility being true. However, the strength of each word can vary depending on the context in which it is used.
Last Updated on November 9, 2023
I think that your description of may/might in relation to “Possibility” is confused. Both “may” and “might” express what is possibly factual with minimal nuances. They can be and are used interchangeably.
e.g. “He may come but he may not.” is interchangeable with “He might come but he might not.” To a very experienced user of English “might” possibly contains a hint that the event is more related to a personal choice, but this distinction is so subtle that learners of English can ignore it.
As for “might” being used to express what is counterfactual, I fail to see how this makes much sense. Both “may” and “might” always refer to events which are possibly factual, but not “counterfactual” (If I am wrong, I would be keen to see an example of how “might” could express something counterfactual.) Similarly I fail to see how “might” is more applicable to hypothetical situations than “may”.
e.g. “It might rain on Saturday.” and “It may rain on Saturday” convey the same message in relation to a hypothetical event.
As far as the “remotely possible” aspect is concerned, this is handled by voice tones rather than choosing between may and might..
e.g. “She /may/ want to come” = “She /might/ want to come. Here, by emphasizing ‘may’ or ‘might’ the possible is converted to remotely possible.
Looking now at your own example sentences, it is clear that “You may go home now, John.” is functionally identical with your example sentence for “Giving permission”, “Thank you. You may go now” and is not related to possibility as much as it is to permission. Similarly, your example sentence “I might be a few minutes late.” could easily be replaced by “I may be a few minutes late.” without any change of meaning. After using English for 70 years (many of them as a teacher), I can’t sense any significant difference.
In summary, there is nothing in the examples you give which explain any significant difference between “may” and “might” in relation to possibility which is relevant to learners of English. Furthermore, use of terms such as “counterfactual” and “hypothetical” are, in this context and without good examples showing any relevance they might have, confusing to English learners.
I have chosen the first usage “Possibility” to comment on. However, I must also say that some other distinctions between you make between the use of “may” and “might” are also debatable, with one exception. This is that when Giving Permission, it would certainly be wrong to say “Thank you. You might go now.” I would also suggest that while “Might I have the bill, please” is not as elegant as “May I have the bill, please?” it would not be noticed as an error at a table of native English speakers.