Key Difference

• “May” suggests a higher likelihood or permission.
• “Might” suggests a lower likelihood, more uncertainty, or hypothetical situations.

1. Expressing Possibility

• “May” is used when there’s a fair chance that something will happen.
  • Example: “She may come to the party.” (There’s a reasonable chance she will come.)
• “Might” is used when the chance of something happening is lower or when there’s more doubt.
  • Example: “She might come to the party, but it’s unlikely.” (She’s less likely to come.)

Remember

Think of “may” as being a little more certain than “might.”

2. Asking or Giving Permission

• “May” is the word to use when politely asking for or granting permission. It’s formal and polite.
  • Example: “May I go to the restroom?” (polite request for permission)
  • Example: “You may leave when you finish.” (granting permission)
• “Might” is rarely used for permission because it focuses on possibility rather than formal requests or permissions.

3. Hypothetical Situations (Past Tense)

In hypothetical or imagined situations, especially when talking about the past, “might” is often the better choice.

• Example: “If I had known about the meeting, I might have attended.” (This is a hypothetical past situation.)

In contrast, “may” isn’t typically used in these past hypotheticals.

🎭 Analogy Time

Think of “may” as a strong suggestion that something will happen, like being “probable,” while “might” is like a cautious guess, as in “perhaps.”

📝 Practice Time

Fill in the blanks with “may” or “might”:

1. It ______ rain later, so take an umbrella just in case.
2. You ______ leave early if you finish all your work.
3. They ______ have won the game if they had practiced more.
4. She ______ go to the concert, but she hasn’t decided yet.

Answers:

1. might
2. may
3. might
4. may