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)