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May as well / Might as well

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Jesusengland  #545850  Thu, 24 Jul 08 12:41 PM
Hello.

What is the difference in meaning?
- You may / might as well open them all.
- He may / might as well take the car.

Thanks.
  
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Marius Hancu  #545852  Thu, 24 Jul 08 12:43 PM
might: more doubt 
  
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optilang  #545901  Thu, 24 Jul 08 02:17 PM
Possible meanings:

He may open them all = he has permission to open them all

He may take the car =  he has permission to take the car.


I can't see any real difference between

He may as well open them all       He might as well open them all.
He may as well take the car         He might as well take the car.

  
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CalifJim  #545973  Thu, 24 Jul 08 06:25 PM
Jesusengland
What is the difference in meaning?
None.  The only difference is register.  (AmE)  "may as well" is the higher register item.

CJ 

  
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