May vs Might!!! Learn the difference between might vs may and how to use them correctly. The key difference between may and might is that “may” is the present form and “might” is the past form of “may”.
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May vs Might
Might or May? When to use May or Might?
Both might and may are modal verbs and they can be interchangeable when used to refer to possibility and probability.
May Definition and Examples
May is used in many different situations.
- Used to give permission
- Used to ask for permission
- Used to talk about a possible situation in the present or the future
- Used to express a wish or hope
- Used to refer to a thing that typically happens in a certain situation
May Examples:
- You may go home now, John. (1)
- May I come in? – Please, do. (2)
- If you park your car here the police may tow it away. (3)
- May you be blessed with a lot more candles to blow out. (4)
- One false move may lose the game. (5)
Might Definition and Examples
- Might is the past tense of may.
- Used to ask for permission
- Used to refer to something that could have been in the past.
- Used to talk about a hypothetical or remotely possible situation
Might Examples:
- He might get there in time, but I can’t be sure. (1)
- Might I bring you a cup of tea? (2)
- She might have been killed if the neighbors hadn’t intervened. (3)
- If you flatter your mother a bit she might invite us all to dinner. (4)
Might vs May – Difference between May and Might | Infographic
May or Might – How to Use May vs Might Correctly?