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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Even thouh the preset tense...
Hello, teachers.
I found a sentense;"I must be careful so that I might not catch a cold."
This is the present tense, but can I use "might" (the past tense of may)?
I wonder if this "might" means the subjective mood.
I found a sentense;"I must be careful so that I might not catch a cold."
This is the present tense, but can I use "might" (the past tense of may)?
I wonder if this "might" means the subjective mood.
Top answer
The word "might" is nominally the past tense of "may," however, in practice this is not really the way these verbs are used. "May/might" are used in situations similar to what would be the subjunctive in other languages (the pure subjunctive is rare in English today). "May" shows doubt or probability, "might" shows slightly more doubt or probability.
- The word "might" is nominally the past tense of "may," however, in practice this is not really the way these verbs are used.
- "May/might" are used in situations similar to what would be the subjunctive in other languages (the pure subjunctive is rare in English today).
- "May" shows doubt or probability, "might" shows slightly more doubt or probability.
- For example: I may go to the movies today.
- ) I might go to the movies today.
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1 Answers
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The word "might" is nominally the past tense of "may," however, in practice this is not really the way these verbs are used. "May/might" are used in situations similar to what would be the subjunctive in other languages (the pure subjunctive is rare in English today). "May" shows doubt or probability, "might" shows slightly more doubt or probability. For example:
I may go to the movies
I may go to the movies
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