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May/Might

May/Might

Date: Oct 03 2007

Topic: Grammar

Author: rhyme_reason

Lesson

may

We can use 'may' to ask for permission. However this is rather formal and not used very often in modern spoken English

  • May I borrow your pen?
  • May we think about it?
  • May I go now?

We use 'may' to suggest something is possible

  • It may rain later today.
  • I may not have time to do it today.
  • Pete may come with us

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.

  • She might be at home by now but it's not sure at all.
  • It might rain this afternoon.
  • I might not have time to go to the shops for you.
  • I might not go.

For the past, we use 'might have'.

  • He might have tried to call while I was out.
  • I might have dropped it in the street.

Comments

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Kiwijelly

Kiwijelly

Thailand

thx so much^^ I got it now!!

11:28 AM Oct 08 2009 |

simran@

simran@

India

GOOD

02:38 PM Feb 08 2009 |

preity68

preity68

India

well explained….thnxSmile

03:47 AM Mar 27 2008 |

looking4mryt2007

Philippines

may i know what's your location  is that right???

05:54 AM Mar 12 2008 |

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