When to use might. Modal verb may: forms and situations of use

Modal verbs are verbs that characterize the responsibilities, capabilities, desires and necessity of action. They directly convey the speaker’s attitude to what is happening.
Despite the fact that modal verbs are strong and do not require the use of an auxiliary verb, when constructing interrogative and negative sentences, they cannot be used independently without a semantic verb:

I cannot fly. - I can not fly.
You may go. - You can go.

In English, modal verbs are used independently only when they form a short answer, or the meaning of the statement is clear from the previous context in which semantic (weak) verbs are used:

- Can you read this?
- I can.

Most people cannot run as fast as animals, but some can.

In English for expression possibilities/impossibility or abilities/inabilities to do something, two modal verbs are most often used - can And may.

They do not change in persons and numbers, as evidenced by the absence of an ending -s- in the present simple tense, do not have all the usual forms for weak verbs (for example, the ending -ing) and do not require the help of an auxiliary verb do/ does/ did.

Can vs. May

Can And may have a meaning in Russian be able/ be able/ allow. It is immediately worth noting that in most cases they are not interchangeable. In the image accompanying the illustration of the article there is a saying:

Do as you may if you can’t do as you could.

This aphorism uses three modal verbs at once and all three will have different shades of meaning. The sentence itself is translated as follows:

Do as you are allowed, if you are prohibited from doing as you could.

There are certain criteria when choosing a particular verb.

Can has two forms in English - the present tense form and the past tense form could, which will also be used in the subjunctive mood.
However, in English it is possible to use a modal verb can in the future tense. In this case, it will be replaced by an equivalent verb to be able to do smth.

I can read English.- Present Simple
He thought he could do it alone.- Past Simple
I wish I could see it.
He told me he could have seen it earlier.- Perfect

She will be able to finish the painting in Summer.- Future

May used in English in the form of present and past tense might, which can also be found in sentences in the subjunctive mood.

May I come in?- Present Simple
They might come yesterday.- Past Simple
He might be at home.- Subjunctive mood (subjunctive mood)

Use of Can and May

Modal verb can has a wider range of applications compared to the verb may.

1. For expression ability or ability to do something use can:

I can swim. Can you?

2. Can also used to indicate possibilities(theoretical or according to some rules):

You can find it in any dictionary.
Russian Railways can change the fares seasonally.- Russian Railways may change tariffs depending on the season.

3. When prohibited used for something cannot (can't). You can also find prohibitions with may, but they will sound too “soft”:

You cannot talk too loud in the library.- You can't speak loudly in the library.
You may not talk loudly in the library.- You are not allowed to speak loudly in the library.

4. Request can be expressed through can or could. The latter in this case will have emphatically polite treatment:

Can you pass me some butter?
Could you pass me some butter?

5. When expressing surprise in interrogative sentences or reproach the narrative often uses a modal verb can. Its shape could will reflect the extreme degree of the condition:

How can you be so rude?- How can you be so rude?
You could tell me in the end.- In the end, you could have told me!

6. Cannot (can't) used to denote strong mistrust:

She can't work there.- Yes, she can’t work there.
They couldn't have done it.- They just couldn't do it.

Please note that in almost all cases of use could, verb emphasizes exaggerated attitude speaking to current events.

In situations where you ask permission to do something can be used both modal verbs. Offers with may at the same time they will sound more formally:

You can come in.- You can come in.
You may come in.- Come in./ You can come in.

Modal verbs may/might contain character speaker's uncertainty regarding the events described. As with could, past form might transmits greater degree of uncertainty:

Somebody's calling. It may be Mary.- Someone is calling. Perhaps it's Mary.
It may rain. Take an umbrella.- It can start raining. Take an umbrella.

Modal verb may most often used when especially polite treatment:

May I sit down?- Can I sit down? / Let me sit down?
Can I sit down? would rather be translated “Can I sit down?”

Often might used when expressing reproach. The sentence sounds especially caustic:

You might have told me beforehand.- I could have warned you in advance.

In this article we started a big important topic on modal verbs and talked about two of them. In future publications we will definitely try to highlight the remaining representatives of this category.

We wish you to be able to master this grammar material! May success be with you!

Victoria Tetkina

May And might are modal verbs that have many interesting qualities. In some cases they can replace each other, in others they can act as a form of present and past tense, in others they can have completely different meanings. May And might sometimes cause difficulties for English learners, so in this article we will talk about the difference between them and examine in detail the cases of their use.

Features of the modal verbs may and might

To begin with, we propose to understand how sentences are constructed with may And might, because such proposals have several distinctive features.

In affirmative sentences after may And might we use the infinitive without a particle to. In questions may And might must be placed before the subject. In negative sentences we add to may/might particle not. To Russian may/might most often translated by the words “could”, “could”.

I might go. - I could go.

May she enter the room? - She Maybe enter the room?

I may not come. - I I can't come.

Pay attention to one feature: negation may not no shortened form.

We may not may not be at home today. - Us may not be today at home.

Negation might not may be reduced - mightn't, however, this form is rare.

It might rain today, mightn't it? - It might rain today is not it?

Let's consider other features of modal may And might:

1. Might is the past tense form of the verb may, But might also used as a stand-alone modal verb.
2. U may And might there are general functions and there are private ones: in some cases we can only use may, in others – only might.
3. WITH may And might we can use the usual infinitive ( may/might do), long ( may/might be doing) and perfect ( may/might have done). Regular infinitive ( may/might do) indicates an action in the present or future, continuous - a long-term action in the present or future, perfect - an action in the past.

Also, different functions may have their own peculiarities of using infinitives. We will talk about them further.

Well, now let's figure out how may And might are used in speech.

When we use the modal verbs may and might

First, we will look at cases where both verbs can be used - may And might. Here they are:

1. Possibility, uncertainty– probability, uncertainty.

   The most important function may/might is a probability. In this function may shows a greater degree of confidence than might. In translation into Russian we will use the words “may”, “maybe”, “should be”, “possibly”.

   This function has one feature: we can use long ( may/might be doing) and perfect ( may/might have done) infinitives to describe actions in the present, past and future. Regular infinitive ( may/might do) works according to standard rules: shows the present or the future. You can observe this feature in the cases listed below, since probability and uncertainty can manifest themselves in different ways:

   • We describe a typical situation or talk about a well-known fact.
     

     A driver may fall asleep if he doesn’t stop every two hours. - Driver can fall asleep, unless it stops every 2 hours.

     The flowers might have faded if I hadn't watered them regularly. - Flowers could wither, if I didn't water them regularly.

   • We make a guess about what might be true. As a rule, in this case we are not very confident in our words.
     

     – Where is Ken? -Where is Ken?
     – No idea. He may be in the kitchen. - Don't know, May be, in the kitchen.

     He might not have been at the concert. – Maybe, his did not have at the concert.

   • Nothing prevents us from performing or not performing any action. Circumstances are such that we can do something.
     

     We may go out tonight or we may not. – Maybe, We let's go for a walk tonight, a maybe we won't go.

     I might not answer the phone as I’ll be sleeping in the afternoon. - I I may not answer on the phone, since I will sleep during the day.

   • We talk about our possible plans or intentions. Here may/might usually used with the continuous infinitive.
     

     Don't call me at midday. I might be having lunch at this time. - Don't call me at noon. I I can have lunch at that time.

     I may be going to Switzerland soon. – May be, I I'll leave to Switzerland soon.

   And now a little life hack: if we can replace may/might in a word perhaps(possible), which means we are talking about probability.

   He might not have been at the concert. = Perhaps he was not at the concert. – Maybe, he was not at the concert.

   I may be going to Switzerland soon. = Perhaps I'm going to Switzerland soon. – May be, I'm leaving for Switzerland soon.

2. Request, asking for permission- request, request for permission.

   According to the rules of classical grammar, we use may/might when we want to politely make a request to someone or ask permission to do something. However, in spoken English, native speakers increasingly use a modal verb in this function. May/might preferable can in a formal context. Also in this meaning might a more polite verb than may.

   May I show you the papers, sir? – Can Shall I show you the papers, sir?

   Sorry to bother you, Mr. Smith. Might I have a day-off tomorrow? - Sorry to bother you, Mr. Smith. Can i Should I take tomorrow off?

3. Design may/might as well.

   Expression may/might as well used in such cases:

   • when we have to do something because we have no other choice;
   • if there is not much difference, what to do.

   This expression implies the following idea: it is better to do this than to do nothing at all. There are several translation options: “there is nothing (else) left (as)”, “why not”, “it is possible and”, “it is quite possible”, “it is possible at least”. It should be noted that the combination might as well occurs more often than may as well.

   We've missed our train. We might as well wait for the next one. - We missed the train. There is nothing else left but wait for the next one.

   – Are you leaving now? - Are you leaving now?
   – I don’t know. I might as well. - Don't know. It is possible Now.

   There is nothing to do here. I may as well go somewhere else. - There's nothing to do here. Quite possible, I'll go somewhere else.

4. Design may/might not...but.

   We use the design may/might not...but when we want to highlight some good quality in a person or thing. This construction is usually translated with the words “could not have been..., if not for...”, “would not have been, if not for...”.

   These memoirs may not be a masterpiece, but the author’s life experience is invaluable. – These memoirs wouldn't be masterpiece if not the author's invaluable experience.

   This girl might not have become a famous singer, but her voice was beautiful. - This girl might not be famous singer, if not her beautiful voice.

We got acquainted with the general functions of verbs may And might. Now we will look at each of them separately.

When to use the modal verb may

Some tasks are modal may didn't want to share with might. Let's figure out which ones exactly.

1. Permission and prohibition– permission and prohibition.

   We use a modal verb may, if we allow or allow someone to do something. To disable an action, we add to may negative particle not. It should be noted that may And may not in this meaning are often found in formal speech. We also use this modal verb when we speak with an unfamiliar person, boss or subordinate. To Russian may usually translated by the word “to be able”, may not- “impossible”, “must not”, “prohibited”.

   You may eat only one ice-cream at a time. - You you can eat it only one ice cream at a time.

   Mr. Hicks, you may participate in the debate on Saturday. - Mr. Hicks, you you can take part in Saturday's debate.

   Customers may not enter this room. – Buyers forbidden to enter to this room.

   You may not play football on the grass. - You shouldn't play football on the grass.

2. Wishes– wishes.

   By using may we can express our wishes to someone. In this case may goes to the beginning of a sentence. In Russian we will translate the modal verb with the word “let”.

   May this marriage brings you a lot of joy and happiness. – Let this marriage will bring you a lot of joy and happiness.

   May all your wishes come true. – Let all your wishes will come true.

3. Certainty- confidence.

   If we believe that some action is likely to happen, if we are almost certain of it, we can add to may adverb well. This combination will be translated by the words “probably”, “quite possible”.

   He may well take a taxi not to wait for a bus. - He, will probably take taxi so as not to wait for the bus.

   Adam may well not want to go to the hospital with us. – Adam may well not want to come with us to the hospital.

When to use the modal verb might

U might English also has its own problems. Let's see what functions this modal verb performs.

1. Polite advice- polite advice.

   Might as an independent modal verb, it is used to politely give advice or make an assumption about something. Most often in such cases might goes with the words: like(like, want), prefer(prefer) or want(want).

   You might like to try one of our wonderful desserts. - You, maybe you want try one of our wonderful desserts.

   You might prefer a cheaper accommodation. It will help you to save some money. – Maybe, You would you prefer cheaper housing. This will save you money.

2. Action that never happened- an action that did not happen.

   Verb might shows an action that could have happened but did not. At the same time, for might followed by a perfect infinitive ( have done). Often this feature indicates that the speaker is unhappy that something was not done. This construction is translated as “could”.

   He might have eaten a jar of jam if he hadn’t been full. - He could eat a jar of jam, if I weren't full.

   You might have washed the dishes! – I could wash it dishes!

3. Hardly possible situation- an unlikely situation.

   When we say that some situation is possible, we use and may, And might. But if we are talking about a situation that is impossible or unlikely, then we should use might. The context helps us understand whether the situation before us is real or not: something would have happened if some circumstances had not interfered. Often used to express this function. We will translate into Russian might as "could".

   Alice might come here tonight, but she is working till late. – Alice could come today, but she works late.

   I might finish my report if you didn’t ask me stupid questions. - I could finish report, if you didn't ask me stupid questions.

   If it hadn’t been so hot yesterday, we might have gone somewhere. – If it hadn’t been so hot yesterday, we would go somewhere.

4. Typical situation in the past- a typical situation in the past.

   Verb might can be used in situations where we want to communicate that some action was habitual, typical, or usual in the past. Usually in such cases we mention that the action took place a long time ago. Even though we are talking about action in the past, might will be used with the regular infinitive ( might do).

   During the Middle Ages a girl might get married at the age of 12. – In the Middle Ages young woman could get married at the age of 12 years.

   Years ago you might see just a couple of cars in the street. – Many years ago on the streets could be seen just a couple of cars.

5. Verb Substitute may.

   When agreeing tenses and in indirect speech we will use might, even if according to the rules there should be may.

   Action in the present	Action in the past
   Caroline isn't talking to Rick. They may/might have had an argument. Caroline not talking with Rick. Maybe, they quarreled.	Caroline wasn't talking to Rick. They might have had an argument. Caroline didn't talk with Rick. Maybe, they quarreled.
   Direct speech	Indirect speech
   Our coach told us, “You may stay up a little bit later tonight.” Our trainer said to us: “You you can go to bed a little later today."	Our coach told us that we might stay up a little bit later tonight. Our trainer said us that we we can go to bed a little later today.

Typically, English learners have the most difficulty with the notorious perfect infinitive. Let's watch a video in which they will tell us about the cases of using the perfect infinitive and other subtleties may And might.

And to finally consolidate the topic and understand how well you understand it, take our test.

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Modal verbs may and might in English

Modal verb might most often used to express possibility and conjecture. It can also often be used in conditional sentences. Besides, might can be used to make a proposal or express a request, although it is rarely used in this sense in American English.

For example:
Your purse might be in the living room.
Your handbag Maybe be in the living room. ( Expresses possibility and conjecture.)

If I didn't have to work, I might go with you.
If I didn't have to work, I would could come with you. ( Conditional offer.)

You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit.
You we could visit the botanical gardens during your visit. ( Expresses a proposal.)

Might I borrow your pen?
Can should I take your pen? ( Expresses a request.)

Using the modal verb might in the present, past and future tenses

In most cases, the use of modal verbs in the past and future tenses is different from other verbs. The table below shows use of a modal verb might in different situations.

Modal verb may most often used to express possibility and conjecture. It can also be used to give permission and ask permission, although in modern English it is used less and less in this sense.

For example:
Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work.
Cheryl Maybe be at home, or maybe at work. ( Expresses a possibility, an assumption.)

Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner.
Johnny, you can get up from the table when you finish dinner. ( Expresses permission.)

May I use your bathroom?
Can use your bathroom? ( Expresses a request for permission.)

Using the modal verb may in the present, past and future tenses

In most cases, the use of modal verbs in the past and future tenses is different from other verbs. The table below shows use of a modal verb may in different situations.

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Basic meaning of modal verb may- assumption and resolution, translated into Russian as “possible, maybe, probably.”

Forms of the modal verb may

May has two temporary forms: may- present tense form (Present Simple) and might- past tense form (Past Simple).

Both forms and may, And might used with all persons.

You may go - You may not go - May I go?

You might go - You might not go (You mightn't go) - Might I go?

After a modal verb may/ might followed by an infinitive verb without particle to . Notice the missing particle to after may/ might!

Modal verb may. Use

Modal verb may used:

to express permission. May not in this case, he expresses the refusal “you can’t, I don’t allow”:

You may take only one brochure. — You can only take one brochure (permit).
You may take my pen. — You can take my pen (permission).
You may not park your car in front of the gate. — You cannot park your car in front of the gate (not allowed).

to express a polite request, and more formal than with the verb:

May we come a bit later? - Can we come a little later? (polite request)
May I sit next to you? -Can I sit next to you? (polite request)

Permission and request from may will always sound more formal than with can.

to express possibility, existing due to objective circumstances:

These tablets may produce serious side effects if not taken in the correct dosage. - These pills can cause serious side effects if not taken in the correct dosage (typical case).

to express an assumption, mixed with doubt. Translated into Russian “perhaps, maybe.” In this meaning after may different forms of the infinitive may follow depending on the time when the action occurs:

He may come. - He may come (He may come).
She may be working now. — She may be working now (She may be working now).
They may have arrived hours ago. - They may have arrived a few hours ago (They could have arrived a few hours ago).
He may have been waiting for us for an hour already. “He’s probably been waiting for us for an hour.”

Use of might

Might used:

as a past tense form from may when agreeing tenses in indirect speech:

He asked if he might borrow the car. — He asked if he could borrow the car. (He asked, ‘May I borrow the car?’)
He said that he might come. “He said he might come.” (He said, “I may come.”)

to express an extremely polite request:

Might I ask do you have a question? - Can I ask you a question? (very polite request)

to express an assumption, mixed with doubt. In this meaning after might different forms of the infinitive can also follow:

I might go to the movies tonight. — Maybe I’ll go to the cinema tonight (maybe I will, although I’m not sure).
It might rain later. — It might rain later (or maybe not).
It's ten o'clock. They might have arrived now. - Ten o'clock. Perhaps they have arrived (or maybe they have not arrived yet).

Difference between may and might

From the above, we see that may, And might are used to express assumption mixed with doubt. In this meaning may / might practically interchangeable. There is a small nuance: might expresses less confidence than may. In percentage terms it will look like this:

I may pass the exam. — Perhaps I’ll pass the exam (I’m about 50-60% sure, maybe I’ll pass it after all)
I might pass the exam. — Perhaps I will pass the exam (I am about 20-30% sure, that is, the likelihood that I will pass the exam is extremely small).

Be allowed to is the equivalent of the modal verb may

At the modal verb may there is an equivalent be allowed to, which can be used in different tenses and convey the resolution value:

Present Simple: am / is / are + allowed to — We are allowed to stay at home. — We are allowed to stay at home (we can stay).
Past Simple: was / were + allowed to — We were allowed to stay at home. - We were allowed to stay at home.
Future Simple: will be + allowed to — We will be allowed to stay at home. - We will be allowed to stay at home.