I read about the difference between the two verbs but I'm still confused about when to use each. Can someone please explain me using examples? I feel like a stupid bimbo!
may or might
Don't feel like a bimbo, native speakers never get this right... My understanding is that "may" is the present/future tense, while "might" is the past tense.
I think...
I think...
2 Skippy
So it's like "I might have gone to the movies, have there been a good film," but "I may go to the the movies, if there will be a good film?
So it's like "I might have gone to the movies, have there been a good film," but "I may go to the the movies, if there will be a good film?
<<So it's like "I might have gone to the movies, have there been a good film," but "I may go to the the movies, if there will be a good film? >>
I think you'd say:
"I might have gone to the movies, had there been a good film.",
and (probably)
"I may [or might] go to the movies, if there's a good film."
and also
"I may [or might] have gone to the movies back then, but I don't recall.
Note: If native speakers "never get this right", perhaps there's not really much difference, at least not anything that you can put your finger on?
I think you'd say:
"I might have gone to the movies, had there been a good film.",
and (probably)
"I may [or might] go to the movies, if there's a good film."
and also
"I may [or might] have gone to the movies back then, but I don't recall.
Note: If native speakers "never get this right", perhaps there's not really much difference, at least not anything that you can put your finger on?
<My understanding is that "may" is the present/future tense, while "might" is the past tense. >
And past tense can often be used for the future. So...?
And past tense can often be used for the future. So...?
I might come tomorrow. (weaker possibility)
I may come tomorrow. (stronger possibility)
Problem is, many Americans reverse that use.
"I might/would have gone to the movies, had there been a good film."
"I may go to the the movies, if there's a good film."
I may come tomorrow. (stronger possibility)
Problem is, many Americans reverse that use.
"I might/would have gone to the movies, had there been a good film."
"I may go to the the movies, if there's a good film."
Ok, nothing like checking dictionary.com^^
MIGHT. (past tense of May):
1.a) Used to indicate a condition or state contrary to fact: "She might help if she knew the truth."
1.b) Used to indicate a possibility or probability that is weaker than may: "We might discover a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."
2) Used to express possibility or probability or permission in the past: "She told him yesterday he might not go on the trip."
3) Used to express a higher degree of deference or politeness than may, ought, or should: "Might I express my opinion?"
MIGHT. (past tense of May):
1.a) Used to indicate a condition or state contrary to fact: "She might help if she knew the truth."
1.b) Used to indicate a possibility or probability that is weaker than may: "We might discover a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."
2) Used to express possibility or probability or permission in the past: "She told him yesterday he might not go on the trip."
3) Used to express a higher degree of deference or politeness than may, ought, or should: "Might I express my opinion?"