May and Might
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May and Might are similar to Can/Could and Will/Would. However, the word
may has a formal connotation that makes it more difficult. You can easily use the phrase,
May I join you?
This is used when asking to join a group in a somewhat formal situation
such as sitting with others at a restaurant. You can also use
may with a few common words:
be, want, have, and
need.
ExamplesWe may need to go to the grocery store later today.
He may have to register early for the class.
You may be surprised when you see her. She looks a lot older!
In the sentences above,
may definitely suggests uncertainty.
Here is the tricky part
.
With many verbs,
may can suggest permission or aloofness. It can sound aloof because
may suggests personal choice whereas
might is a little more general, less personal.
For instance,
I may go to the movie or I may not.
To an American, this will sound like a very formal way of
talking about a casual event, like a movie. With most verbs,
might will be a better choice. It shows that the speaker is uncertain and there is no suggestion of permission or formality.
ExamplesI might go to the movie.
I might travel to Europe next year.
He might try to apply for a new job.
Now let's compare
can, could, may and
might.
Example
|
In Use
|
Example
|
In Use
|
Example
|
In Use
|
Can I join you?
|
casual
|
Can you drive?
|
regular use
|
I can talk to him for you.
|
a positive suggestion
|
Could I join you?
|
casual
|
Could you drive?
|
regular use
|
I could talk to him for you.
|
a positive, though uncertain, suggestion
|
May I join you?
|
formal
|
May you drive?
|
not used
|
I may talk to him for you.
|
very formal--rarely used
|
Might I join you?
|
formal
|
Might you drive?
|
rarely used
|
I might talk to him for you.
|
an uncertain suggestion
|
As you can see,
can and
could are interchangeable in many questions. In
statements, these two words have slightly different meanings. The
phrase "may you" is no longer used in modern speech.
Might can be used in
questions, but it is not used very often as the first word of a
question.
Can or
could are much more popular.
