subject + may/might + base verbUse may or might before the base verb. No to, and no verb ending after the modal.
May and Might — Possibility
A2Use may and might for things that are possible now or later. After both, use the base verb; negatives are may not / might not.
What you'll learn
- Talk about possible present and future situations with may and might.
- Build statements with may/might + base verb.
- Make negatives with may not and might not.
- Ask yes/no questions with May/Might + subject + base verb.
- Choose might when you want to sound a little less sure.
- Notice markers like maybe, perhaps, tonight, and tomorrow.
Structure
subject + may/might + not + base verbPut not after the modal. The main verb stays in the base form.
May/Might + subject + base verb + ?Start the question with the modal. Do not add do or does.
Build a sentence
Subject
Verb
Annamaycome
Anna may come later.
Use may + base verb for a possible result.
When to use
Possible now
Use may or might for a situation that could be true at this moment. Maria may be at home.
Possible later
Use may or might for a future result that is not certain. Tom might join us tonight.
Less sure tone
Choose might when you want to sound more careful or less direct about the possibility. It might rain later.
Markers
maybeperhapslatertonighttomorrowthis evening
In contrast
vs can-ability
May and might show possibility. Can often shows ability or general possibility, not the speaker's uncertain guess about one situation.
Common mistakes
Wrong
Lisa may to call later.
Correct
Lisa may call later.
After may, use the base verb directly. Do not add to.
Wrong
Tom might goes by bus.
Correct
Tom might go by bus.
After might, the verb stays in the base form.
Wrong
Anna doesn't may come.
Correct
Anna may not come.
Use not directly after may or might. Do not use do/does with these modals.
Wrong
Does she might come later?
Correct
Might she come later?
Questions with may and might do not use do or does.
Wrong
She may come later?
Correct
May she come later?
In a yes/no question, put May or Might before the subject.
Common misconceptions
❝ May and might always mean exactly the same thing. ❞
Both show possibility, but might often sounds a little less sure than may.
❝ May and might are only for the future. ❞
They can describe a possible future event or a possible situation now: Anna may be busy.
Skills in this rule (6)
USE_MAY_MIGHT_FOR_POSSIBILITYw5Use may and might for possible present or future situations
Choose may or might when something is possible, not certain. Use them for what can be true now or what can happen later.
FORM_MAY_MIGHT_PLUS_BASE_VERBw5Build sentences with may or might plus the base verb
After may and might, use the base form of the main verb. Do not add to before the verb.
MAKE_NEGATIVES_WITH_MAY_NOT_MIGHT_NOTw4Make negatives with may not or might not
Put not after may or might to show a possible negative result. The main verb stays in the base form.
ASK_WITH_MAY_MIGHT_PLUS_SUBJECTw4Ask questions with may or might before the subject
Start the question with May or Might, then add the subject and the base verb. Do not use do or does in these questions.
MIGHT_IS_LESS_SUREw3Use might when the speaker wants to sound less sure
May and might both show possibility. Might often sounds a little less sure or more distant than may.
PICK_POSSIBILITY_MARKERSw3Recognize words that often go with possible situations
Words like maybe, perhaps, later, tonight, and tomorrow often appear when the speaker is not certain. These cues fit well with may and might.