When do we use might and might not?
Might (not)= Maybe it is (not) true
We use might, might not when we think something is (not) or will (not) be true, but we aren’t sure.
- ‘Suzan isn’t answering the phone.’ ‘She might be in the garden.’
- The sky is clearing up. It might not rain this afternoon.
- They might win the competition.
I might (not)= It is possible that I will (not)
We say that someone might do something to mean that ‘it is possible that someone will do something‘.
- I might go for a run this afternoon. (=It’s possible that I will go for a run.)
- She might come to the conference.
We say that someone might not do something to mean that ‘it is possible that someone won’t do something‘.
- I might not come to the party. (=It’s possible that I won’t come to the party.)
- He might not go to work tomorrow.
May, may not
May= might
We can use may and may not instead of might and might not.
- She may be late for class this morning.
- They may not like your decision.
May I…?
We don’t often use might or may in questions. However, we can use may I in questions to ask for permission.
- May I sit here? (=Can I sit here?)
- May I come in?