May and Might

Question 1

We use may or might to say

Answer 1

That something is possible.
Usually you can use may or might

It may be true. OR It might be true.
She might know. She may know.

Question 2

The structure is :

Answer 2

3 different ways :

1. I/you/he | may/might | Not | be

He might be in his office.

2. I/you/he | may/might | Not | be ( doing, working, having )

I might be working that day.

3. I/you/he | may/might | Not | know, work, wantShe may know.

Question 3

The negative forms are

Answer 3

May + Not
Might + Not ( mightn’t )

Question 4

For the past we use :

Answer 4

May have ( done )
Might have ( done )

I wonder why kate didn’t answer her phone.
She may have been asleep.

I can’t find my phone anywhere.
You might have left it at work.

Why wasn’t Amy at the meeting yesterday?
She might not have known about it.

I wonder why David was in such a bad mood yesterday.
He may not have been feeling well.

Question 5

Could is so similar to may and might

Answer 5

It’s a strange story, but it could be true.
You could have left you phone at work.

Question 6

Couldn’t is different from may not or might not

Answer 6

Sarah couldn’t have got my massage. Otherwise she would have replied.
( It is not possible that she got my message )

I wonder why Sarah hasn’t replied my message. I suppose she might not have got it.
( It’s possible that she didn’t get it- so perhaps she did, perhaps she didn’t )

Question 7

We use may and might to talk about possible actions or happenings in the future

Answer 7

I haven’ decided yet where to go on holiday. I may go to Ireland. ( perhaps I will go there )

Take an umbrella with you. It might rain later.
( perhaps it will rain )

The bus isn’t always on time. We might have to wait a few minutes. ( Perhaps we will have to wait )

Amy may not go out tonight. She isn’t feeling well.

There might not be enough time to discuss everything at the meeting. ( perhaps there will not be enough time )

Question 8

Compare will and may/might

Answer 8

I’ll be late this evening. ( for sure )
I may/ might be late this evening. ( possible )

Question 9

We use only might ( not may )
When the situation is not real

Answer 9

If they paid me better, I might work harder.

The situation here is not real because they do not pay me well, so I’m not going to work harder.

Question 10

There is a continuous form

May/might be -ing compare this with
Will be -ing

Answer 10

Don’t phone at 8:30. I’ll be watching the football on television. ( for sure )

Don’t phone at 8:30. I might be watching the football on TV. ( perhaps )

Question 11

Might as well

Answer 11

We might as well do something : we should do it because there is no better alternative. There is no reason not to do it.

What shall we do? Shall we walk?
We might as well. It’s a nice day and I don’t want to wait here for an hour.

What time are you going out?
Well, I’m ready, so I might as well go now.