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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Might in a If-clause

We were discussing the following if-sentence:

If Mary missed the bus, it wouldn’t be a serious problem.

Somebody said afterwards that we can never use "might" in a if-clause. The following sentence would be impossible then?

"If Mary might miss the bus, it wouldn’t be a serious problem"

Thank you for an answer.
  

Top answer

Do not use "might" in an if-clause. Might means that there is a possibility, so you can say: Mary might miss the bus, but that would not be a serious problem.

— AlpheccaStars

  • Do not use "might" in an if-clause.
  • Might means that there is a possibility, so you can say: Mary might miss the bus, but that would not be a serious problem.
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6 Answers
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Do not use "might" in an if-clause.

Might means that there is a possibility, so you can say:

Mary might miss the bus, but that would not be a serious problem.
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AnonymousSomebody said afterwards that we can never use "might" in a if-clause. The following sentence would be impossible then?
If I might make a suggestion, nothing is impossible.
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AvangiIf I might make a suggestion, nothing is impossible.
Please do make a suggestion -- but not if it might inconvenience you.

CJ
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Avangi
AnonymousSomebody said afterwards that we can never use "might" in a if-clause. The following sentence would be impossible then?
If I might make a suggestion, nothing is impossible.
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AlpheccaStarsbut not in the case a - which is what anon was asking about.
Good point. But I have the gnawing feeling that there might be a case where it's possible. You can say, "If it's possible that he'll be late, ...", can't you? So why not "If he might be late, ..."? (Not a rhetorical question. I'm inclined to see "If he might be late, ..." as anomal
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CalifJimBut I have the gnawing feeling that there might be a case where it's possible.
CJ - Gnawing - yeah, it's a very familiar feeling. The gyrations and contortions that our marvelous tongue can achieve never cease to astound me. Sometimes there are as many OOPSes in my answers as on the site.
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