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Newguest Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
may/might
Hi
Does it always depend on me whether I use may or might in a sentence?
I think I might go to Sweden next week or I think I may go to Sweden next week
Are both OK?
thanks
Does it always depend on me whether I use may or might in a sentence?
I think I might go to Sweden next week or I think I may go to Sweden next week
Are both OK?
thanks
Top answer
Hello, It doesn't have a very different meaning in this sentence. Most of the time they are interchangable but you cannot use "might" for permission. You can say "okay, you may leave now" but not "okay, you might leave now".
- Hello, It doesn't have a very different meaning in this sentence.
- Most of the time they are interchangable but you cannot use "might" for permission.
- You can say "okay, you may leave now" but not "okay, you might leave now".
- As for the meaning of possibility, they are interchangable.
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6 Answers
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Hello,
It doesn't have a very different meaning in this sentence. Most of the time they are interchangable but you cannot use "might" for permission. You can say "okay, you may leave now" but not "okay, you might leave now". As for the meaning of possibility, they are interchangable.
It doesn't have a very different meaning in this sentence. Most of the time they are interchangable but you cannot use "might" for permission. You can say "okay, you may leave now" but not "okay, you might leave now". As for the meaning of possibility, they are interchangable.
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I think I might go to Sweden next week.
I think I may go to Sweden next week.
To me, using 'might' suggests that you are less certain of going to Sweden. 'May' implies that you are more likely to go to Sweden.
I think I may go to Sweden next week.
To me, using 'might' suggests that you are less certain of going to Sweden. 'May' implies that you are more likely to go to Sweden.
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Hi,
I think the only difference is that "may" is less common in everyday conversations, in informal contexts. It belongs to a (slightly?) higher register.
The fact that "may" implies that something is more probable is a well-known urban legend in the ESL field, which Michael Swan helped to spread. Maybe he was even the one who started it...
If you go ask some native speakers, "What's
I think the only difference is that "may" is less common in everyday conversations, in informal contexts. It belongs to a (slightly?) higher register.
The fact that "may" implies that something is more probable is a well-known urban legend in the ESL field, which Michael Swan helped to spread. Maybe he was even the one who started it...
If you go ask some native speakers, "What's
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Hi guys!
Thanks for the replies. I also think that there is hardly any difference between these two words.
Thanks for the replies. I also think that there is hardly any difference between these two words.
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Both may and might can be used when referring to present or future possibilities. May suggests a serious possibility and might a remote possibility.
(The Right Word at the Right Time)
(The Right Word at the Right Time)
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Hi Newguest
I have the following to share with you.
may / might
Similarly, we can use the modal auxiliaries may or might to say that there is a chance that something is true or may happen. May and might are used to talk about present or future events. They can normally be used interchangeably, although might may sug
I have the following to share with you.
may / might
Similarly, we can use the modal auxiliaries may or might to say that there is a chance that something is true or may happen. May and might are used to talk about present or future events. They can normally be used interchangeably, although might may sug
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