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"May" expresses higher probability or formal permission; "might" expresses lower probability or is the past tense of "may".
Side-by-side comparison
"May" expresses a fairly likely possibility or grants formal permission. "It may rain" = there is a reasonable chance of rain. "You may leave" = you are permitted to leave.
You may use a dictionary during the exam, it is permitted.
The package may arrive tomorrow if it was dispatched this morning.
She may be late, her train was delayed by thirty minutes.
"Might" expresses a more remote or doubtful possibility, or is the past form of "may" in reported speech. "It might rain" = possible but less likely. "He said it might work" = he said there was a chance it would work.
You might want to bring an umbrella. I saw a few dark clouds earlier.
He thought the meeting might be cancelled because the CEO was traveling.
She might come to the party, but she said she was not sure she could make it.
Common mistake
- •In formal English: "may" = more probable, "might" = less probable.
- •The clearest error: "She said she may come" in reported speech is wrong; correct is "She said she might come" (the past of "may" in reported speech is "might").
Trick to remember it
- •"May" sounds more confident, more probable.
- •"Might" sounds more doubtful.
- •For formal permission only "may": "May I?" For reported speech: the past of "may" is always "might".
Quick rule
- •"May" = moderate-high probability / formal permission.
- •"Might" = lower probability / past of "may" in reported speech.
Did you know?
From the 15th to 17th century, MIGHT was simply the ordinary past tense of MAY, just as COULD is the past of CAN and WOULD is the past of WILL. The probability distinction between MAY and MIGHT is relatively modern and has been gradually eroding in contemporary English. A curious phenomenon in Southern American English: "might could" (double modal) is perfectly natural in that dialect: "You might could do it that way" (there is a chance you could do it that way). This use of two consecutive modals is a characteristic feature of Southern American dialects and does not appear in standard English.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
I _____ go to the beach this weekend if the weather is good.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
When I was a child, I _____ stay up late on Fridays. My parents allowed it.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
"Can" expresses ability or capacity (to be able to do something); "may" expresses formal permission or possibility (something might happen).
'Can' expresses ability or possibility in the present; 'could' expresses past ability or hypothetical possibility.
'Could' expresses reasonable possibility or polite permission; 'might' expresses more remote or uncertain possibility.
'May well' expresses high probability; 'might well' expresses reasonable possibility with slightly more uncertainty.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy