May vs. Might: Usage and Examples

• May and might often have similar meanings when discussing possibility.
• May is often preferred in academic or formal language when discussing characteristics or behavior.
• Might is often preferred in speech when discussing future actions.

May Well / Might Well

• May well, or might well less commonly, can emphasize something unexpected.
• Example: Keith may well pass the entrance examination after all.

Questions about Possibility

• Instead of using may to ask questions about the possibility of something, other options like could(n't) or 'be likely' can be used.
• Example: "Could it be that you don't want to leave?"
• Example: "Are you likely to be in Spain again this summer?"
• Might can be used in this type of question, but it is rather formal.
• Example: "Might they be persuaded to change their minds?"

May for Permission and Offers

• May can be used to ask for permission and offer help in a formal way.
• Example: "May I leave now?"
• Example: "May I help you?"

Might + Bare Infinitive (Past)

• Might + bare infinitive is sometimes used, formally or in literature, to talk about what was typical in the past.
• Example: "During the war, the police might arrest you for criticizing the government."
• Example: "Years ago, children might be sent down mines at the age of six." (passive form)
• Could + bare infinitive can also be used to talk about past ability.
• Example: "During the war, the police could arrest you..." indicates legal ability.

May/Might Not Pattern

• May/might not + bare infinitive...but... or may/might not have + past participle...but... can be used when a person or thing compensates for a limitation or weakness.
• Example: "The painting may not be a masterpiece, but the colors are remarkable."
• Example: "She might not have danced very gracefully, but she had a lot of energy and enthusiasm."

May/Might + Have + Past Participle; May/Might + Be + -Ing

• May/might (not 'can') + have + past participle and may/might (not 'can') + be + -ing can be used to talk about possible events in the past, present and future.
• Example (past): "Do you think Laura may/might have completed the report by now?"
• Example (future): "His maths may/might have improved by the time the exam comes round."
• Example (present): "Marco isn't in his office. He may/might be working at home today."
• Example (future): "When I go to Vienna I may/might be staying with Max, but I'm not sure yet."
• Could can be used interchangeably with may or might in these sentences.
• Example: "Do you think Laura could have completed the report by now?"

May/Might Have Been + -Ing

• May/might have been + -ing is used to describe possible situations or activities that occurred over a period of past time.
• Example: "Callum didn't know where the ball was, but he thought his sister might have been playing with it before she left for school."

Exercises 17.1

• Exercise 17.1 focuses on completing the sentences with either may or might.
• Provide an alternative if neither is possible, while making any other necessary changes.

Exercises 17.2

• Exercise 17.2 focuses on understanding when to use might have + past participle vs might + enjoy it.
• Example 1: "You should have come dancing. You might have enjoyed / might enjoy it." (might enjoy it)
• Example 2: "She might have tried / might have been trying to get a book off the top shelf when she fell." (might have been trying)
• Example 3: "Dr Carter might have come / might be coming over this evening, so can you tidy the house up a bit?" (might be coming)
• Example 4: "As recently as the 1950s, employers might be requiring / might require a woman to leave her job when she got married." (might require)
• Example 5: "I've been offered a new job, so I may be moving / may have moved to Dubai." (may be moving)
• Example 6: "Why not come and see us in March? The weather may have been improving / may have improved by then." (may have improved)
• Example 7: "During the riots of the 1960s, people might be imprisoned / may be imprisoned simply for being on the streets." (might be imprisoned)
• Example 8: "He said he was in a lot of pain, but he may have been exaggerating / may exaggerate." (may have been exaggerating)
• Example 9: "In the past, left-handed children might be punishing / might be punished for not holding a pen in their right hand." (might be punished)
• Example 10: "I may have told / may tell you this before. I can't remember." (may have told)

Exercises 17.3

• Exercise 17.3 involves completing sentences in an appropriate way.
• Example sentence: "He may not be the best singer in the world, but..."
• Example sentence: "Hugh's old car might not be terribly comfortable, but..."
• Example sentence: "Her English grammar may not be very accurate, but..."

Expanding Notes

• Sound/exciting, agree/him, express/feelings openly, work/quickly.
• Example: "He may/might not work very quickly but at least he's very reliable."
• Example: "...but his opinions on music make you think."
• Example: "...but she is really very fond of you."
• Example: "...but the new museum of fishing is actually very good."