May and Might 2
May/might for future possibility, might in unreal situations, continuous forms, and might as well
May and Might for Future Possibility
Use may or might to talk about something that is possible in the future. Both words mean the same thing here: “perhaps.”
- I haven’t decided where to go on holiday. I may go to Ireland. (= perhaps I will go there)
- Take an umbrella with you. It might rain later. (= perhaps it will rain)
- The bus isn’t always on time. We might have to wait a few minutes.
The negative forms are may not and might not (mightn’t):
- Amy may not go out tonight. She isn’t feeling well. (= perhaps she will not go out)
- There might not be enough time to discuss everything at the meeting.
Certain vs. Possible
Compare the difference between being sure about something and treating it as a possibility:
| Sure (going to) | Possible (may / might) |
|---|---|
| I‘m going to buy a car. | I may buy a car. / I might buy a car. |
When you have decided, use going to. When the decision is still open, use may or might.
May or Might — Does It Matter?
In most sentences you can use either word. They are interchangeable:
- I may go to Ireland. = I might go to Ireland.
- Jane might be able to help you. = Jane may be able to help you.
There is one exception. When the situation is not real, use might (not may):
- If they paid me better, I might work harder. (not
I may work)
The situation (if they paid me better) is imaginary — they do not pay me well, so I am not going to work harder. In unreal conditions like this, only might works.
May/Might Be + -ing (Continuous)
You can use may/might be + -ing to talk about possible actions happening at a particular time.
Compare will be -ing (sure) with might be -ing (possible):
| Sure | Possible |
|---|---|
| Don’t phone at 8:30. I‘ll be watching the football on TV. | Don’t phone at 8:30. I might be watching the football on TV. |
You can also use may/might be -ing for possible plans:
| Sure | Possible |
|---|---|
| I‘m going to Ireland soon. | I might be going to Ireland soon. |
In a work context: Don’t schedule anything for Friday afternoon. The director may be visiting the office.
Might As Well / May As Well
Use might as well (or may as well) when there is no better option. It means “we should do it because there is no reason not to.”
Picture this: you and a colleague just missed the shuttle bus. The next one comes in an hour.
- We might as well walk. It’s a nice day and I don’t want to wait here for an hour.
- Well, I’m ready, so I might as well go now.
- Buses are so expensive these days, you might as well get a taxi.
At work this comes up when one option is no worse than another:
- The report is almost done. We may as well finish it today.
- The client cancelled the morning call. I might as well use that time to review the contract.
Quick Self-Check
'I haven't decided yet. I _____ apply for the transfer.' Which fits a possible future action?
Select your answer:
'If the company offered me a relocation package, I _____ consider moving abroad.' Choose the correct word.
Select your answer:
'Don't call the warehouse at 3 p.m. They _____ the monthly inventory check.' Which form works here?
Select your answer:
'There _____ enough chairs in the meeting room for everyone.' Choose the correct negative form.
Select your answer:
The next train isn't for two hours. 'We _____ take a taxi.' What goes in the gap?
Select your answer: