2. MAY and MIGHT

May

Among the modal verbs, may  is the most polite one to use. It is used to express the following ideas.

Examples:

  • The explosion may have been caused by a gas leak. (Probability)
  • Don’t go near! It may  be poisonous. (Possibility)
  • May  I have another lollipop? (Asking for permission); Yes, you may . (Giving permission)
  • May  you live to the ripe old age of 100. (Wish/Hope)
  • Carl, may  I borrow that red cap of yours? (Polite request/Question)
  • It may  be wise to stop seeing him forever. (Suggestion)

Might

Might  has the   negative form 'might not,'   can be used in asking a question - but  unlike the modal verb may, might can make the contraction mightn't, which is little used today.

  • Mightn't  that hairy animal be a new species of monkey as yet unknown to science?

The modal verb might  is used to express the following ideas.

Examples:

  • She said he might  go to Hell for what he did to her. (Past tense of may )
  • I might  have stepped on the banana skin and fallen if I had not noticed it. (Possibility)
  • Might  I ask why you two are not speaking to each other? (Permission)
  • You might  like to have a look at my two new pets – a turtle and a guinea pig. (Suggestion)
  • You might  at least try to look like you were enjoying the soup. (Annoyance)
  • If you were to tour in a desert, you might  be caught in a sandstorm. (Condition)