Distinguishing May & Might in English Grammar

May vs Might in English Grammar

May and Might, as modal auxiliary verbs, should be properly understood in terms of their meanings and usage. In the English language, the word “may” has three uses: as a verb, as a noun meaning “the hawthorn or its blossom,” and as “the fifth month of the year, in the northern hemisphere usually considered the last month of spring.” This article will focus on the first meaning of “may” as a verb. “Might” is the past of “may” and is also used as a noun in English to mean “great and impressive power or strength.”

What does May mean?

May is generally used to talk about possibility, as in the sentences:
– We may be moving to Paris next year.
– May I have some more rice?

In both sentences above, the auxiliary verb “may” is used to express the possibility. In the first sentence, it talks about the possibility of moving to Paris, and in the second sentence, it talks about the possibility of more rice being served. Unlike “might,” the auxiliary verb “may” does not carry the idea of being tentative or hesitant in asking for permission.

Examples:
– May I put the television on?
– Visitors may not feed the animals.

In the first sentence, the verb “may” is indicative of permission. The person seeks permission to switch on the television. In the second sentence, officials in the zoo have not granted permission for visitors to feed the animals. There is no element of hesitancy in the permission sought or granted.

What does Might mean?

The auxiliary verb “might” talks of limited possibility, as in the sentences:
– I think it might rain.
– I wonder if I might ask you a favor.

In both sentences above, the modal auxiliary verb “might” is used to express limited possibility. In the first sentence, it talks about a distant possibility of rain, and in the second sentence, it talks about the limited possibility of a favor being asked.

Although both “may” and “might” are used to express permission or to ask for permission, they are used differently. “Might” carries the idea of being tentative or hesitant in asking for permission.

Examples:
– I wonder if I might have a little more cheese.
– You might watch the television.

In the first sentence, permission was sought with hesitation. In the second sentence, permission was granted with hesitation. This is one of the main differences between the use of the two modal auxiliary verbs “may” and “might” when they indicate permission.

“Might” is more conditional in use, as in the sentence:
– If you took some exercise, you might not be so fat.

Here, “might” is used in the conditional sense.

Key Takeaways

• May is generally used to talk about possibility, while might talks about limited possibility.
• May and might are both used to express permission or to ask for permission, but might carries the idea of being tentative or hesitant in asking for permission.
• May does not carry the idea of being tentative or hesitant in asking for permission, unlike might.