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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Might or may be

Are both may be and might be possible to be used in these sentence, and do they signal as the future of the present:

We may be able to go to the mall.
We might be able to go to the mall.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

They definitely signal to the future This is an area where English is changing. Thirty years ago, I might have said that 'may' gives you the opportunity or the right to do something; whereas 'might' says that you are physically able to do it - If the traffic is not too bad, we might get to the mall on time - If the boss gives us the day off, we may go to the mall Nowadays, the words are used quite loosely and I think you can use either, in either context Dave

— Dave_anon

  • They definitely signal to the future This is an area where English is changing.
  • Thirty years ago, I might have said that 'may' gives you the opportunity or the right to do something; whereas 'might' says that you are physically able to do it - If the traffic is not too bad, we might get to the mall on time - If the boss gives us the day off, we may go to the mall Nowadays, the words are used quite loosely and I think you can use either, in either context Dave
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9 Answers
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They definitely signal to the future

This is an area where English is changing. Thirty years ago, I might have said that 'may' gives you the opportunity or the right to do something; whereas 'might' says that you are physically able to do it

- If the traffic is not too bad, we might get to the mall on time

- If the boss gives us the day off, we may go to the mall
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AnonymousAre both 'may' be and 'might' be possible to be used in these sentences, and do they signal as the future of the present:
Both ar
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dave_anonThis is an area where English is changing. Thirty years ago, I might have said that 'may' gives you the opportunity or the right to do something; whereas 'might' says that you are physically able to do it- If the traffic is not too bad, we might get to the mall on time- If the boss gives us the day off, we may go to the mall
I agree. The problem learn
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Thank you. Would it be correct if I wrote: are both may and might possible to use in these sentences?

Also, have I written the first sentence correctly: would it be correct if I wrote.

Please show the errors just as you have done in my previous post! Many thanks,
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Anonymousare both may and might possible to use in these sentences?
Yes.
AnonymousWould it be correct if I wrote
You seemed to understand the formula.
Would (imagine past) - wrote (imagined past action)
Will (present future) if I write (hypothetical present action)
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AnonymousAlso, have I written the first sentence correctly: would it be correct if I wrote.
Correct.
Anonymousare both may and might possible to use in these sentences?
No. Omit "to use".

CJ
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Thank you very much teacher. I am just curious why are both 'to be used' and 'to use' not correct in the below sentences. Are they grammatically incorrect or do they just not sound good. If they are grammatically incorrect, please show me how they could have been used in the same context.

Are both may and might possible to be used in these sentences.
Are both may and might possible to
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AnonymousAre both may and might possible to be used in these sentences.
Wrong. You've already asked this and had an answer.
AnonymousAre both may and might possible to use in these sentences.
Wrong. You've already asked this and had an answer.
AnonymousWould it be possible to use both might and may
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Thank you so much dear teacher. Yes, I know that the first two are wrong. I just rewrote them to show you what I was referring to, as to why they are wrong. Anyways, thanks again. Teacher I would greatly appreciate it if you would answer my other question in the forum, entitled 'Sentence Correction'.
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