What is the difference between may and might?

Determining whether something is very likely or remotely likely is the difference between choosing “may” or “might” for your sentence. Here is the breakdown: Use “may” when something is more likely to happen. Use “might” if something is less likely to happen or in a hypothetical situation.
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Where do we use may and might?

'May' vs. 'Might': What's the Difference?
  1. “May” suggests a high degree of probability. ...
  2. “Might” suggests a lower probability. ...
  3. “Might” is appropriate for past tense. ...
  4. “May” is better for the present tense. ...
  5. “May” can express permission. ...
  6. “Might” will help clarify that permission is not a factor.
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What is the difference between might and May with examples?

"May" indicates that you are more likely to do something. I may go to the store means I probably will go to the store. "Might" suggests that you are less likely to do something. I might go to the store means it's unlikely that I'll go to the store.
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What is the difference between may and might in English grammar?

May is a auxiliary verb, used to express a strong possibility of happening of an event, but still it is not certain. Might is a past form which is used in sentences when there is a possibility of occurrence of an event but to a smaller extent. Used in situations which are factual and likely to happen.
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How do you use might in a sentence?

Might sentence example
  1. It might have done damage inside. ...
  2. We might have done something to help you. ...
  3. If you could see a way it might be possible, then it must be possible. ...
  4. This might be the most difficult decision she would ever make. ...
  5. Either situation might be the case. ...
  6. No one knows what the mother might do.
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MAY and MIGHT - What's the difference? 5 simple steps



Can we use might for future?

There is no future tense, but might is used for talking about future possibilities: It might rain tomorrow.
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Is it might as well or may as well?

Both the phrases "may as well" and "might as well" mean the same; they are interchangeable. You use either to suggest that something should be done or accepted because there's no other better alternative or good reason not to do it. For examples: We may/might as well go home.
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Is Might the past of May?

Since “might” is the past tense of “may,” you would use might in place of may when referring to something in the past, irrespective of the degree of probability that something actually happened: Peter and Jane might have fallen in love at first sight.
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What is might grammar?

Might is the past of may and allows us to express: • uncertainty, possibility or probability (it has a similar meaning to may, but gives an idea of greater uncertainty): The kids might be hungry.
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What is the difference between May might and must?

May shows the speaker is not sure in the present moment: "She may be making a video." May changes to might to express a possible state in the past: "She might have stayed home." Finally, must expresses a strong certainty: "She must be working there."
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How do you teach may and might?

'may' and 'might'
  1. Level: beginner.
  2. We can use may not to refuse permission or to say that someone does not have permission, but it is formal and emphatic:
  3. We use might when we are not sure about something in the present or future:
  4. Level: intermediate.
  5. We use may have and might have to make guesses about the past:
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Are May and might interchangeable?

Nowadays, you can safely use "might have" and "may have" interchangeably. However, be aware that some strict grammarians might insist that only "might have" can be used in the past tense. Therefore, to play it safe, you should opt for "might have" over "may have."
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How is may used in a sentence?

We use may to refer to weak possibility in the present and future: The economy may go up or down in the next year. (I think both are possible, the economy going up or the economy going down. I am not making either one a strong possibility.)
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What is the meaning of might be?

1 —used to express permission, liberty, probability, or possibility in the past The president might do nothing without the board's consent. 2 —used to say that something is possible We might get there before it rains. I might go, but then again, I might not.
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What tense is might verb?

“Might” is the past tense of “may.” When deciding which one to use, you can use the sentence tense to decide on “might” or “may.” Refer to these examples to see how “might” is used: He might have called me after the game, but they got busy.
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What does might well mean?

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English might wellused to say that there is a good reason for a reaction, question, or feeling 'What do they hope to achieve? ' 'You might well ask.
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Is Might as well informal?

We can use may as well and might as well for making suggestions. We can use them to say what we think is the easiest or most logical course of action when we cannot see a better alternative. They are both fairly informal.
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Is the phrase might as well?

Definition of might/may as well

1 —used to say that something should be done or accepted because it cannot be avoided or because there is no good reason not to do it You might as well tell them the truth. We may as well begin now. (informal) "Should we start now?" "Might as well."
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Can I help you or may I help you?

Example: "Can you do it?" "Can I help you?" and "May I help you?" are both correct and almost the same, but "Can I help you?" is like asking "Is there something you need help with?" And "May I help you?" is like "Is it okay if I help you?" "Shall I?" = "Do you want me to?" "Should I?" The differences are very small and ...
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Could I vs May I?

"Could I" is best for semi-formal situations. "May I" is best for semi-formal situations. Which of these is only used with the pronouns "I" and "we" ?
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Can you start a sentence with might?

Might comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): She might sell her house. This might be true. Not: That might can be true. or That can might be true.
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Which is correct I may have or I might have?

May have been and might have been mean the same thing in American English, and are nearly always interchangeable. These two sentences are equivalent, for example: I may have been taking a shower when you called. I might have been taking a shower when you called.
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What might have meaning?

Might-ve definition

Might have; used to express the possibility of something occurring in the past as condition to another non-occurring past event. If we had gone to Hollywood, we might've met a film star. verb.
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What is the example of May?

"May" is a modal verb most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common. Examples: Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work.
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What is the difference between might be and maybe?

You already know the word maybe (may + be) to say possibly, perhaps. So you can use might and may to say that something is possible, but not certain. However, it is widely accepted –and explained– that might expresses something less sure than may. It is a question of degree.
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