0
Kilimanjaro Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

might vs might have and Passive versions of both

a) In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep.

b) In those days, they might hang a man for stealing a sheep.

Does the "might" in the second sentence have the same role (The Simple Past form of 'may') as the one in the first sentence.

My second question is : Are the following sentences more or less equivalent to each other. In what way are they different?

You might kill yourself by that gun.

You might have killed yourself by that gun.

Thanks for your valuable comments.
  

Top answer

Hi, I'll give it a try: Kilimanjaro a) In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep. b) In those days, they might hang a man for stealing a sheep. Does the "might" in the second sentence have the same role (The Simple Past form of 'may') as the one in the first sentence?

— Kooyeen

  • Hi, I'll give it a try: Kilimanjaro a) In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep.
  • b) In those days, they might hang a man for stealing a sheep.
  • Does the "might" in the second sentence have the same role (The Simple Past form of 'may') as the one in the first sentence?
  • I think so.
  • My second question is : Are the following sentences more or less equivalent to each other.
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.

31 Answers
0
Hi,
I'll give it a try:
Kilimanjaroa) In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep.

b) In those days, they might hang a man for stealing a sheep.

Does the "might" in the second sentence have the same role (The Simple Past form of 'may') as the one in the first sentence? I think so.
0
0
KooyeenHi,
I'll give it a try:
Kilimanjaro
a) In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep.

b) In those days, they might hang a man for stealing a sheep.

Does the "might" in the second sentence have the same role (The Simple Past form of 'may') as the one in the first sentence?
0
0
Hi Kilimanjaro

I wouldn't use might as a past tense auxilaiary in a main clause. I would say: A man could be hanged for stealing a sheep.

Cheers
CB
0
0
Hi Kilimanjaro,
you succeeded in confusing me! Emotion: smile Maybe you are right... I don't know, now I'm not sure any more. I think this is
0
0
Cool BreezeHi Kilimanjaro

I wouldn't use might as a past tense auxilaiary in a main clause. I would say: A man could be hanged for stealing a sheep.

Cheers
CB
Hello Cool Breeze,

This sentence is taken from Michael SWAN's Practical English Usage. He says "might" can be used in such contexts
0
0
Kilimanjaroa) In those days, a man might have been hanged for stealing a sheep.

b) In those days, they might have hanged a man for stealing a sheep.
Your sentences are wrong because they are refering to the past but yo
0
0
Bokeh
Kilimanjaro
a) In those days, a man might have been hanged for stealing a sheep.

b) In those days, they might have hanged a man for stealing a sheep.

Your sentences are wrong beca
0
0
Cool BreezeHi Kilimanjaro

I wouldn't use might as a past tense auxilaiary in a main clause. I would say: A man could be hanged for stealing a sheep.

Cheers
CB
Why?
0
0
<


a) In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep.

b) In those days, they might hang a man for stealing a sheep.>


might (there) = it was permissible, so it was possible. Both sentence are OK.

You might kill yourself by that gun. With "by" it sounds like "
0
0
Hi,
I am reading some threads about this, and I think I was wrong. It is a mess, that's the best answer I can give now.
It seems we have to separate the meanings. Could and might used for "possibility" behave differently from could used for permission and ability...
I'll keep reading, I'll be back later.
0

Related Questions