0
Hotmale Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Might not

Hello,

I'd like to ask a question about "might not" in a conditional sentence. I don't really know how to use it.

Does this sentence make a sense?
"Even if he has/had a driving license, he might not drive fast".

Thank you
  

Top answer

Your usage is correct. The modal "might" introduces the aspect of doubt or probability after a hypothetical conditional. He doesn't have a drivers license, so we have to speculate on what would happen if he had one.

— Deadrat

  • Your usage is correct.
  • The modal "might" introduces the aspect of doubt or probability after a hypothetical conditional.
  • He doesn't have a drivers license, so we have to speculate on what would happen if he had one.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

12 Answers
0
Your usage is correct. The modal "might" introduces the aspect of doubt or probability after a hypothetical conditional.

He doesn't have a drivers license, so we have to speculate on what would happen if he had one.
0
0
HotmaleDoes this sentence make a sense? make sense?
"Even if he has/had a driving license, he might not drive fast".
It's a bit weird. It seems to operate under the presupposition that people with driver's licenses drive fast, which does not seem to me to be a reasonable presupposition. Nevertheless, the gra
0
0
Thank you both for your answers!
0
0
CalifJimHe might not like it if you don't invite him to her birthday party.
I have a question here:
This seems to me an open condition (..if you don't invite him). I have learnt that we need to use may or can or will in main clauses in open conditions. Please give your comments.
0
0
vsureshI have learnt that we need to use may or can or will in main clauses in open conditions.
I assume by 'open condition' you mean a present-tense condition, or what some call a 'real condition', so let me know if that's not what you mean.

The main clause in these conditionals can contain just about any modal verb, though it is somewhat exceptional
0
0
CalifJimI assume by 'open condition' you mean a present-tense condition, or what some call a 'real condition', so let me know if that's not what you mean.
Yes, CJ.

Let me tell you what I read in the books in our place.

She will/may/can come if you invite. ( present tense condition or open condition)

She would/might/could come if you
0
0
vsureshShe will/may/might/must/can/should come if you invite her.
I would extend the choices as shown above— supposing you want all the modals that fit the pattern.
vsureshShe would/might/could come if you invited her.
I would leave these as they are.
vsureshShe would/could/might have come if you had
0
0
CalifJimIf you've spoken a bit of French before, then the introductory class might not be necessary.
Is it possible to use may instead of might here?
Or is it possible to use Past simple instead of Present Perfect in if-clause?

If you have spoken a bit of French before, then the introductory classes may not be necessary.
If you spoke a bit of
0
0
HotmaleCalifJimIf you've spoken a bit of French before, then the introductory class might not be necessary.Is it possible to use may instead of might here?
Yes. In the vast majority of cases, if 'may' works, 'might' works, too; if 'might' works, then 'may' works, too. They are treated almost exactly the same in modern English. It's just that 'may' sounds mo
0

Related Questions