Essential Grammar in Use(Third Edition)--Modals, imperative etc. Unit29

might

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A

He might go to New York. (= it is possible that he will go to New York)

It might rain. (= it is possible that it will rain)

might + infinitive (might go / might be / might rain etc.):

I/we/you/they he/she/it

might (not)

be go play come etc.

B

I might = it is possible that I will:

• I might go to the cinema this evening, but I'm not sure. (= it is possible that I will go)
• A: When is Rebecca going to phone you?   B: I don't know. She might phone this afternoon.
• Take an umbrella with you. It might rain.
• Buy a lottery ticket. You might be lucky. (= perhaps you will be lucky)
• Are you going out tonight?   I might. (= I might go out)

Study the difference:

• I'm playing tennis tomorrow. (sure)    I might play tennis tomorrow. (possible)
• Rebecca is going to phone later. (sure)    Rebecca might phone later. (possible)

C

I might not = it is possible that I will not:

• I might not go to work tomorrow. (= it is possible that I will not go)
• Sue might not come to the party. (= it is possible that she will not come)

D

may

You can use may in the same way. I may = I might:

• I may go to the cinema this evening. (= I might go)
• Sue may not come to the party. (= Sue might not come)

May I ...? = Is it OK to ...? / Can I ...?:

• May I ask a question? (is it OK to ask / can I ask?)
• May I sit here? Yes, of course.