May and Might For Possibility
May and Might For Possibility
May and Might For Possibility
Listed below are examples and uses of modal verbs of probability. Modal verbs of probability
are used to express an opinion of the speaker based on information that the speaker has.
Example: He must be at work, it's 10 o'clock. In this case, the speaker is 100 % sure that the
person is at work based on the speaker's knowledge that the person in question usually works
at during the day.
Examples Usage
Use 'must' plus the verb when you are 100%
(or almost 100%) sure that something is the
They must be in case.
Spain by now.
They can't have Notice that the past form remains 'can't have
worked until late. done'
1
May / might
May
We can use 'may' to ask for permission. However this is rather formal and not used very often in
modern spoken English
Might
We use 'might' to suggest a small possibility of something. Often we read that 'might' suggests a
smaller possibility that 'may', there is in fact little difference and 'might is more usual than 'may'
in spoken English.
2
Sample Dialogs
X - Is that woman from Catalonia?
Z - Well, it's her name. I can usually figure it out by the name. Catalonian seems to be kind of a
cross between Spanish and French. I believe I've been told that Catalonian is similar to
Provençal. Anyway, it's her name. It seems kind of like Spanish and French together. I think she
may be from Catalonia.
Speaker Z has something in mind which supports the idea that the woman is from
Catalonia. Therefore, speaker Z chooses to use "may" and not "might".
Z - Well, I once spoke to someone from Catalonia who said that by comparison to other people
from Spain, Catalonians seem to be quieter.
Y - Yeah, she seems kind of quiet, but there's no way to know that for sure. What's her name?
Y - Well, she might be from Catalonia. Catalonians have last names that seem to be different
from other Spanish last names. Ask one of the other people from Spain. One of them might
know her name.
Here, speaker Y doesn't feel strongly enough about the idea that the woman is from
Catalonia. Therefore, speaker Y chooses to use "might". Speaker Y feels better
about basing the idea that the woman is from Catalonia on her name than on her
quiet personality.
I don’t believe it's possible to quantify modal certainty or uncertainty with reference
to “might, may, could”. A speaker decides to use “might”, “may”, or “could” based on
his or her viewpoint and other information that may or may not support an idea as
being true or false.
3
A. We’ve got two weeks off in July. What do you want to do?
A. What do you think you'll do with those two weeks you have off in July?
A. What do you think you'll do with those two weeks you have off in July?
Clearly, "might" and "could" do not mean the same thing. If we use "could" it mostly
acknowledges or suggests the possibility of something. If we use "might" it is more
likely to suggest the possiblility of something that is a weaker possibility. However,
by using “might” in example number two, the speaker is most likely considering his
or her actual intentions.
4
Use must, might, may, could or can't plus the correct form of the verb.
7 - It ____ be very expensive, but it's much better than the others.
9 - You ____ try asking her for help- she knows her stuff.
5
7. Sweetheart! As you were at home your might have do / might have done / may have done
the ironing , don't you think ?
8. Yes darling, but I was afraid I might have burnt / may burn / might burn your marvelous
shirt!
9. He might is / may be / may been late because his flight has been delayed.
10. Look at those clouds! It mays rain / may rain / will may rain in a minute.
Practical English
1. You are going to read some tips to help people to make decisions. Before you read, try to
provide your own tips, share them with the class.
2. Quickly look through the article. Is any of the mentioned tips there? Then complete the text
with these verbs from the box.
__________ your time. The most important thing is not to make a decision in a
hurry.
___________ a list of the positive and negative points for both options. Then decide
which points are most important and _________________ the two lists.
If you _____________ other people for their advice, don’t ask more than one or
two. If you ask a lot of people this will probably ___________ you.
_______________ your imagination to help you. Imagine yourself in both
situations. How do you _____________? Relaxed or stressed?
When you’ve made a decision, ____________ a bit before you tell other people to
see how you feel. If you feel comfortable with your decision after one hour, you
have probably made the right decision.
Finally, remember that you can’t ____________________ everything. Choosing
one of two possibilities often means that you can’t have the one you didn’t choose.
And it’s impossible to always ________________ the right decision.