"May" expresses REASONABLY PROBABLE possibility or formal permission; "might" expresses a MORE REMOTE, HYPOTHETICAL, or LESS PROBABLE possibility, and is more tentatively polite.
MAY: modal with two main uses. (1) MODERATELY HIGH POSSIBILITY: "It may rain tomorrow" = it might rain (reasonable probability, more than 50%). "She may be late" = there is a real possibility she will be late. (2) FORMAL PERMISSION: "May I use your phone?" = may I use your phone? (formal). "Students may leave after 3 p.m." = students have permission to leave. In formal written English, MAY for possibility is more common than in colloquial speech, where MIGHT or "might be" is preferred. MAY for permission is more formal than CAN: "May I come in?" (formal) vs "Can I come in?" (colloquial).
The regulatory approval may take longer than anticipated given the recent changes in the review committee's evaluation criteria.
Participants may submit their proposals in either English or Spanish — both will receive equal consideration from the selection panel.
The situation may have been exaggerated in the initial report — we should wait for the full investigation before drawing any conclusions.
MIGHT: modal expressing a MORE REMOTE or LESS PROBABLE possibility than MAY, or a HYPOTHETICAL situation. (1) LOW OR HYPOTHETICAL POSSIBILITY: "It might rain" = there is some chance of rain, but less than with MAY (less probable). "She might be at the office" = maybe, although I am not very sure. (2) PAST FORM OF MAY in indirect speech: "He said it might rain" (he said it was possible it would rain). (3) MORE POLITE OR TENTATIVE: "Might I suggest an alternative approach?" = may I suggest an alternative approach? (very formal and tentatively polite). In CONTEMPORARY English, the probability distinction between MAY and MIGHT is increasingly blurred in colloquial speech, and many natives use them interchangeably.
The rollout might be delayed by a week if the final round of testing reveals any critical issues that need to be addressed before launch.
I might have misunderstood the brief — could you clarify what the primary deliverable should look like at the end of this phase?
She thought the candidate might not be the right fit for the senior role, but she wanted to reserve judgment until after the second interview.
Common mistake
Classic errors: (1) "May you help me?" = INCORRECT as a request for help. MAY for permission is used to ask if you yourself may do something: "May I help you?" To ask for someone's help, use: "Could you help me?" or "Would you mind helping me?" (2) "She mights go" = INCORRECT. Modals do not take the third-person -s: "She MIGHT go" (not "mights"). (3) "I might to go" = INCORRECT. Modals + BARE INFINITIVE (no TO): "I might go" (not "to go"). (4) "May I was wrong" = INCORRECT. For possibility about the PAST: "I may HAVE BEEN wrong" or "I might HAVE BEEN wrong." Modal + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE expresses possibility about the past.
Trick to remember it
The PROBABILITY SPECTRUM of modals: WILL (100% = certainty). MUST (95% = strong logical deduction). SHOULD (90% = reasonable expectation). MAY (50-70% = real possibility). MIGHT (20-50% = more remote possibility). COULD (10-40% = conditional possibility). In formal English when you need to distinguish: MAY = the client will probably be late. MIGHT = the client might possibly be late (less certain). In colloquial AMERICAN English, MAY and MIGHT are used interchangeably for possibility, and the probability distinction has weakened. In formal BRITISH English, the distinction is maintained more rigorously. MAY for permission (not MIGHT): "May I?" = formal. "Can I?" = colloquial.
Quick rule
May = MODERATE possibility (50-70%) or formal permission. Might = MORE REMOTE (20-50%) or hypothetical possibility. In modern colloquial English, the probability difference between the two is increasingly blurred. May I = formal permission. Could you = request for help.
Did you know?
The reduction in the distinction between MAY and MIGHT in contemporary English is an example of the linguistic phenomenon called "modal neutralization." In 17th-century English, the probability difference between may and might was much clearer and more systematic. Over time, especially in American English, the two modals have converged in colloquial use. This neutralization has created a curious tension: in formal ACADEMIC and JOURNALISTIC English, the probability distinction (may = more probable, might = less probable) continues to be taught and required. In everyday speech, many native English speakers have practically abandoned it. Some style guides (such as the American AP Stylebook) insist on maintaining the distinction, while other modern guides simply ignore it.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The implementation timeline _____ shift slightly depending on how quickly the third-party vendor completes the API documentation.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She _____ have missed the original briefing — she seems unaware of the project constraints that were discussed at that session.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
May = MODERATE possibility (50-70%) or formal permission. Might = MORE REMOTE (20-50%) or hypothetical possibility. In modern colloquial English, the probability difference between the two is increasingly blurred. May I = formal permission. Could you = request for help.
Classic errors: (1) "May you help me?" = INCORRECT as a request for help. MAY for permission is used to ask if you yourself may do something: "May I help you?" To ask for someone's help, use: "Could you help me?" or "Would you mind helping me?" (2) "She mights go" = INCORRECT. Modals do not take the third-person -s: "She MIGHT go" (not "mights"). (3) "I might to go" = INCORRECT. Modals + BARE INFINITIVE (no TO): "I might go" (not "to go"). (4) "May I was wrong" = INCORRECT. For possibility about the PAST: "I may HAVE BEEN wrong" or "I might HAVE BEEN wrong." Modal + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE expresses possibility about the past.
The PROBABILITY SPECTRUM of modals: WILL (100% = certainty). MUST (95% = strong logical deduction). SHOULD (90% = reasonable expectation). MAY (50-70% = real possibility). MIGHT (20-50% = more remote possibility). COULD (10-40% = conditional possibility). In formal English when you need to distinguish: MAY = the client will probably be late. MIGHT = the client might possibly be late (less certain). In colloquial AMERICAN English, MAY and MIGHT are used interchangeably for possibility, and the probability distinction has weakened. In formal BRITISH English, the distinction is maintained more rigorously. MAY for permission (not MIGHT): "May I?" = formal. "Can I?" = colloquial.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy