Confusion about may and might

Question

I have been using these two words interchangeably for very decades but in fact I don't really know their differences.

All I know is when we are making request in a polite way we use "May I...."

and we use may when refer to something that will probably happen.

How about might? I checked on Google, it's said might is past tense of may but some sites say that may has no past tense.

Can you just tell me how these two words are used generally?

By the way, what's the difference between "may be" and "maybe"

Please illustrate with examples I will get to learn more quickly with that.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

The following remarks are for American English.

When asking permission, might is so very formal that it has fallen out of use; may is very formal; can or could is used in virtually all everyday situations.

Might I take one of these brochures? (never heard anymore)
May I take one of these brochures? (rarely heard)
Can/Could I take one of these brochures? (normal, everyday usage)

The following remarks describe the use of may and might with the meaning of 'maybe', not the use of may or might for asking permission, which has already been described above.

The difference between may and might is one of register. The meaning is the same.

may occurs in official written announcements and scientific papers, for example, and might occurs more often in ordinary conversation. (Percentages of probability have nothing to do with the meaning of these words.)

Employees may find this information helpful in choosing a health care plan.
For hydrocarbon molecules of this type, electrophoresis may give better results.
We might take a trip to Disneyland this summer.

One last difference should be noted.

may is almost never used in backshifts, but might is.

I [might / may] be ready by 10.
I thought (that) I [might / ~~may~~] be ready by 10.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

kenny1999"may be" and "maybe"

'maybe' is an adverb. It usually comes at the beginning of the sentence. The verb is usually is or are.

'may be' is a verb phrase.

Maybe she's tired. = She may be tired.
Maybe they are hungry. = They may be hungry.
Maybe he is angry. = He may be angry.

CJ

Moonrise · Answer

kenny1999I have been using these two words interchangeably for ~~very~~ decades

"Decades" is not an adjective, so it's wrong to use 'very' before it.

Confusion about may and might

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