May or Might

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What is the difference between May and Might? Please I need examples. Thank you!

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

soufanemohamed What is the difference between May and Might? Please I need examples. Thank you!

1. Use may to ask permission of a stranger very politely (instead of can).
2. may is a little more formal than might so it's more likely to occur in academic journals.
3. Only might should be used in reported speech and similar grammatical constructions.

Other than that, they are the same. For most ordinary conversation among friends you hardly ever need 'may' at all.

Examples:

Formally (in a department store): May I try on this sweater? / May I pay with a personal check?
Otherwise: Can I have more pizza? / Can you open that door for me?

Formal science article: This methodology for extracting DNA may require 48 hours of processing.
Casual conversation: You might like this book. / There might be something interesting on TV tonight.

Direct: In 2003 the New York Times reported, "The country may go to war".
Indirect: In 2003 the New York Times reported that the country might go to war.

CJ

Soufanemohamed · Answer

Thank you so much this was really helpful!

Soufanemohamed · Answer

Thank you very much! It was very helpful <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

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