may/might

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Newguest

#478026 Sun, 17 Feb 08 04:50 PM

Does it always depend on me whether I use may or might in a sentence?

I think I might go to Sweden next week or I think I may go to Sweden next week

Are both OK?

thanks

Newguest

Joined on Sun, Feb 25 2007

Contributing Member (1,065)

Doll

#478028 Sun, 17 Feb 08 04:55 PM

Hello,

It doesn't have a very different meaning in this sentence. Most of the time they are interchangable but you cannot use "might" for permission. You can say "okay, you may leave now" but not "okay, you might leave now". As for the meaning of possibility, they are interchangable.

Doll

Joined on Sat, Mar 10 2007

Turkey

Senior Member (2,516)

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Yoong Liat

#478054 Sun, 17 Feb 08 06:13 PM

I think I might go to Sweden next week.

I think I may go to Sweden next week.

To me, using 'might' suggests that you are less certain of going to Sweden. 'May' implies that you are more likely to go to Sweden.

Yoong Liat

Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006

Singapore

Veteran Member (5,989)

Yoong Liat

Kooyeen

#478057 Sun, 17 Feb 08 06:25 PM

Hi,
I think the only difference is that "may" is less common in everyday conversations, in informal contexts. It belongs to a (slightly?) higher register.
The fact that "may" implies that something is more probable is a well-known urban legend in the ESL field, which Michael Swan helped to spread. Maybe he was even the one who started it...
If you go ask some native speakers, "What's the difference between these two?"...
- The bridge might soon fall to pieces
- The bridge may soon fall to pieces
...I don't know how many people will tell you there's a difference in terms of probability. Maybe no one. Maybe most of them will just say "No idea. Is there a difference?"
Smile

Kooyeen

Joined on Thu, Dec 22 2005

Italy

Senior Member (3,964)

If you don't have a sense of humor already, it's about time you buy one.

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Newguest

#478079 Sun, 17 Feb 08 07:47 PM

Hi guys!

Thanks for the replies. I also think that there is hardly any difference between these two words. Wink

Newguest

Difference between

Yoong Liat

#478106 Sun, 17 Feb 08 09:24 PM

Both may and might can be used when referring to present or future possibilities. May suggests a serious possibility and might a remote possibility.

(The Right Word at the Right Time)

Yoong Liat

#479401 Wed, 20 Feb 08 04:34 PM

Hi Newguest

I have the following to share with you.

may / might

Similarly, we can use the modal auxiliaries may or might to say that there is a chance that something is true or may happen. May and might are used to talk about present or future events. They can normally be used interchangeably, although might may suggest a smaller chance of something happening. Compare the following:

I may go into town tomorrow for the Christmas sales. And James might come with me!
What are you doing over the New Year, Ann? ~ Oh, I may go to Scotland, but there again, I might stay at home.
If you go to bed early tonight, you may / might feel better tomorrow.
If you went to bed early tonight, you might feel better tomorrow.
One of my New Year resolutions is to go to the gym twice a week! ~ And pigs might fly!