May and Might

Using May and Might



Two other important modal verbs are may and might. The two are used interchangeably in standard American English to express probability or possibility:


–You may be wrong.
–You might be wrong.
–The attorney might be late.
–The attorney may be late.


The past form is expressed as follows:


modal (may/might) + have + past participle


–I may/might have left my glasses in the restaurant.


NOTE: Must can also be used to express probability:
–The plane must be leaving now.


Progressive Forms of May and Might



THE PAST PROGRESSIVE FORMS OF MAY AND MIGHT ARE FORMED BY ADDING HAVE BEEN + THE -ING FORM OF THE MAIN VERB.


–I didn't see them at the hotel. They may have been having dinner.
–The mail didn't arrive on time. The mailman might have been having trouble with his car.


THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE FORMS OF MAY AND MIGHT ARE FORMED BY ADDING BE + THE -ING FORM OF THE MAIN VERB.


–We may be calling you in the morning.
–They might be visiting the U.S. this time next year.


NOTE: When must means necessity, the past form is had to. When it means probability, the past is must have + past participle.