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Teleostomi Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

may/might (past tense or subjunctive mood?)

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May (May have): used for possibilities in non-past time; may have is used for possibility in any past time up till now; e.g.
"They may (have) put it there." One cannot say "It may have survived" when it is known that it didn't survive or hasn't survived!
Why can't we say "It may have survived" when it is known that it didn't survive?

Suppose we say "It might have survived." Does "might" signify "past tense" or "subjunctive mood"?
  

Top answer

Why can't we say "It may have survived" when it is known that it didn't survive? -- Because may means perhaps ; it would be an illogical statement. " Does "might" signify "past tense" or "subjunctive mood"?

— Mister Micawber

  • Why can't we say "It may have survived" when it is known that it didn't survive?
  • -- Because may means perhaps ; it would be an illogical statement.
  • " Does "might" signify "past tense" or "subjunctive mood"?
  • -- If it is known that it didn't survive?
  • No, might have is just Conditional III: past hypothetical.
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4 Answers
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Why can't we say "It may have survived" when it is known that it didn't survive? -- Because may means perhaps; it would be an illogical statement.

Suppose we say "It might have survived." Does "might" signify "past tense" or "subjunctive mood"? -- If it is known that it didn't survive? No, might have is just Conditional III: past hypotheti
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Teleostomi,
I fully agree with MM here.
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Thanks, both of you.

One more question, if I may ask?

1)I think they may come.

2)I thought they __ come.

If one wants to change "think" into past tense, should "may" be agreed accordingly? Or does "may" remain the same?
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If the main cause is in the simple past, the subordinating clause should be in a past tense as well. The only exception is general facts, truths:

Here one Martin Behaim theorized that the world is round,

http://72.14.221.104/search?q=
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