Might vs May
Published January 24, 2023. Updated January 24, 2023.
Might and may seem to be interchangeable, but they have distinct meanings and uses. Both words are auxiliary verbs used to describe possibility or chance of a particular circumstance. Might, however, is the past tense of may. It is also thought that may is a stronger version of might, meaning the circumstance is more likely to happen if may is used. May also has other definitions which should not be used interchangeably.
Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Might (auxiliary verb)
Past tense of may.
Used to describe possibility or chance.
Examples:
It might rain soon.
Might I have a word with you in private?
In the first example, might is used to express the possibility that it could rain soon. In the second example, might is used to preface a polite request.
May (auxiliary verb)
Used to describe possibility or chance.
Have permission to.
Examples:
You may need to rethink your approach.
The teacher said the students may play outside.
In the first example, may describes a possibility of a circumstance. It may or may not be the case that the individual in question needs to rethink. In the second example, may is used to describe students having permission to play. May in the first example would be interchangeable with might, but not the may in the second example.
Main Points
- Both might and may are auxiliary verbs used to describe possibility or chance of a particular circumstance.
- Might is the past tense of may.
- May is considered to be stronger than might.
- May has other definitions which should not be used interchangeably.