30 Examples of the Modal Verb Might in English
Examples / / May 11, 2023
may it's a modal verb in english used to express an unlikely future possibility or probability. It means "maybe", "it is possible that", "perhaps". For example: Yo might go to the party or not./ I may or may not go to the party.
So much mightas mayThey are used to express possibility, but the difference between the two is given by the degree of probability that each one expresses. may (pronounced /mait/) indicates a more remote and less likely possibility that may (pronounced /mei/). For example:
- We might go./ We could get to go. (low probability)
- We may go. / Maybe we'll go. (medium – high probability)
Attention: Like all modal verbs, might It is invariable, that is, it does not change depending on the pronoun. For example: Yo might fix the car. – I have might fix the car
- See also: Sentences with "may»
When is the modal verb used might?
may is used to express:
- Possibility. may expresses an unlikely possibility in the present and future of which there is no certainty. For example: Item might rain over the weekend. / It might rain on the weekend.
- Assumption. may expresses a logical assumption or conclusion about a present or past situation. When the situation is present, might is followed by infinitive (without to). When the situation is past, might is followed by have + past participle. For example: She might be near. / It must be close. She might have been near. / It must have been close.
- hypothetical situations. may It is used in conditional sentences: second conditional, third conditionaland mixed conditionalsinstead of wouldto express an unlikely hypothetical situation.may is used in the result clause. For example: If I had more money, I might travel around the world. / If I had more money, maybe I would travel around the world.
Attention: You can use the modal couldas a synonym of might to express a low probability. May, for its part, expresses a higher probability than might and could. For example:It may rain over the weekend./ Maybe it will rain on the weekend.
may it is also used for:
- make a reproach. may It can be used to express a reproach. For example:They might have let me know before! / They could have warned me sooner!
- make a concession. may can be used to express a concession. For example: Tom might be a good person, but he is totally wrong. / Tom may be a good person, but he's totally wrong.
- ask formal permission. may It can be found in very formal contexts to politely ask for permission. However, this use is not frequent and the use of may. For example: may / May I introduce another topic? / Can I introduce another topic?
Sentence structure with might
mayis always followed bybare infinitive(infinitive withoutto). Because it is a modal verb, it is invariable, that is, it does not change depending on the pronoun. For example: I might call her tomorrow. They might call her tomorrow.
The negative of might is formed by adding notafter might. Might notcan be contracted as mightn't. For example: She might not (mightn't) eat./ Maybe he won't come.
The questions with might, Like all questions in English, they are formed by putting might to the subject. For example: may I suggest something?/ Could you suggest something?
Examples of sentences with might
-
Yo might go to Cancun on vacation.
Maybe he's going to Cancun on vacation. -
The boy might be lost.
The child could be missing. -
We might be lucky.
We may be lucky. -
Jenny might not be able to eat.
Jenny may not be able to come. -
They might go dancing on Friday.
Maybe they'll go dancing on Friday. -
My friends and I might watch a movie tonight.
My friends and I maybe watch a movie tonight. -
She might come to the party.
Maybe she will come to the party. -
Yo might have to work on the weekend.
She may have to work on the weekend. -
They might be out, I suppose.
I guess they may not be. -
I have might have moved to a different house.
She may have moved to another house. -
Tom might not know the answer.
Tom might not know the answer. -
sue might be lying.
Sue could be lying. -
may I add something?
Could you add something? -
The boys might be hungry.
The children may be hungry. -
Yo might get the job.
Maybe I'll get the job. -
We might have dinner at a restaurant or not.
We could have dinner in a restaurant or not. -
The children might be in the backyard.
Perhaps the children are in the backyard. -
you might as well come with us.
You could also come with us. -
I have might be working late today.
Maybe he works late today. -
We might not see each other again.
We may not see each other again. -
They might not have found a better place to stay.
They may not have found a better place to stay. -
billy might be having problems.
Billy could be having trouble. -
The students might want to speak to the principal.
Students may want to speak with the principal. -
Kate might have dropped by while we were out.
Kate could have come while we were gone. -
my brother might be up in her bedroom.
My brother could be upstairs in her bedroom. -
Mom might be taking a shower.
Maybe mom is taking a shower. -
She might have been sleeping when you called.
She may have been sleeping when you called. -
you might at least give it a try!
You could at least try! -
I have might become president one day.
Maybe he will become president one day. -
They might not travel to Mexico for their vacation if they can't afford it.
They may not travel to Mexico for their vacation if they cannot afford it.
Difference between may and might
although both may as mightexpress a possibility in English, there are differences between both modal verbs:
May | may |
---|---|
Expresses a probable possibility. Our team may win. |
Expresses an unlikely, more remote, and less likely possibility that may. Our team might win. |
Is pronounced /mei/. | Is pronounced /mait/. |
It expresses supposition in the present and it is less usual to express supposition in the past. They may be hungry. |
Expresses an assumption in present and past tense. I have might have overslept. |
It is used in formal contexts to ask for permission. May I introduce you to our boss? |
It is not usual to use mightto ask permission. |
It can be used to give permission. you may leave now. |
It cannot be used to give permission. |
Attention:may has the same meaning as may in indirect speech sentences. For example: It may rain. – He said it might rain.
To keep in mind:
Future tenses are also used to express situations that are going to happen, but (unlike mightand may) are used when it is completely probable and possible that something will happen.
- prices will increase. / Prices will rise. (100% chance)
- prices may increase./ Prices may rise. (50% chance)
- prices might increase./ Maybe the prices could go up. (10-30% chance)
There are adverbs perhaps (maybe),maybe (maybe) and probably (probably) used to indicate a high, medium, or low probability, depending on the context. However, in English it is more common to use may and might instead of an adverb. For example: Perhaps they will arrive late.Equals: They might arrive late. Both sentences translate into Spanish as: "Maybe they're late."
Follow with:
- Sentences with "must»
- «No" and "not" in English
- Sentences with "have to»
- English prefixes and suffixes
- Sentences with "dog" and "can't»
- “would rather" and "had better" in English