May and Might
Both "may" and "might" are used to express possibility, but there's a subtle difference:
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May: Generally suggests a higher degree of possibility than "might." It implies that something is more likely to happen.
- "It may rain later today." (There's a good chance of rain.)
- "She may decide to come with us." (It's quite possible she will join us.)
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Might: Suggests a lower degree of possibility. It implies that something is less likely to happen.
- "It might rain later today, but I don't think so." (There's a small chance of rain, but it's unlikely.)
- "She might not come to the party." (It's possible she won't come.)
Important Notes:
- In modern English, the difference between "may" and "might" for expressing possibility is often very small, and they are frequently interchangeable.
- Past possibility: To talk about a past possibility, use "may/might have + past participle."
- "I might have left my keys at home." (It's possible I left them at home.)
- "She may have missed the bus." (It's possible she missed the bus.)
- "May" for permission: "May" is also used to ask for or give permission, but that's a different function than expressing possibility. For example, "May I borrow your pen?"
Examples to illustrate the subtle difference:
- "He may get the job; he has a lot of experience." (It's quite likely he will get the job.)
- "He might get the job, but there are a lot of other qualified candidates." (It's possible he will get the job, but it's not very likely.)
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