May/Might

Modals are auxiliary (helping) verbs that express ability, permission, possibility, obligation, advice, and more.

Modal verbs are special verbs that help to give additional meaning to the main verb in a sentence. They express things like ability, permission, or possibility. 'May' and 'might' are two modal verbs that are often used to indicate possibility or permission. For instance, we use 'may' to suggest that something is allowed or to indicate a higher likelihood, while 'might' suggests a lower likelihood or a more hypothetical situation.

Imagine you are considering going outside to play. If you ask your parent, 'May I go outside?' you are asking for permission. Your parent might say, 'Yes, you may go.' However, if the weather looks doubtful, you might say, 'It might rain later,' which indicates that there is a chance, but it's not certain.

• May: Permission, possibility (e.g., You may go.)

'May' is used primarily to express permission or grant permission for someone to do something. For example, if a teacher says to a student, 'You may leave the class,' it means the student has permission to go. 'May' can also indicate a possibility, such as in the sentence 'It may rain today,' which suggests there is a chance of rain.

Think of 'may' as a key that unlocks permission. When you seek to do something you’re unsure about, like attending a friend’s birthday party, asking, 'May I go to the party?' shows you are seeking permission. If your friend replies, 'Yes, you may come,' that’s permission granted!

• Might: Permission, possibility (e.g., It might rain.)

While 'may' suggests a possibility, 'might' indicates a smaller chance of something happening. For example, if you say, 'She might come to the party,' you are suggesting that there is a chance she will come, but it is not very strong. The use of 'might' is often associated with uncertainty or events that are less likely to happen compared to those expressed with 'may.'

Consider planning a trip with friends. If you say, 'They might join us,' you are acknowledging that there is a possibility they will come along, but it’s not guaranteed. It's like betting on a horse that may not finish the race; there's hope, but you wouldn't place your money on it!