Grammar: May and Might

Read the rules:

Study this example situation: You are looking for Bob. Nobody is sure where he is, but you get some suggestions. Where's Bob?

·       He may be in his office. (= perhaps he is in his office)

·       He might be having lunch. (= perhaps he is having lunch)

·       Ask Ann. She might know. (= perhaps she knows)

We use may or might to say that something is a possibility. Usually you can use may or might, so you can say:

·       It may be true. or It might be true. (= perhaps it is true)

·       She might know. or She may know.

The negative forms are may not and might not (or mightn't):

·       It may not be true. (= perhaps it isn't true)

·       She might not work here any more. (= perhaps she doesn't work here)

For the past we use may have (done) or might have (done):

·       I wonder why Kate didn't answer the phone. - She may have been asleep. (= perhaps she was asleep)

·       I can't find my bag anywhere. - You might have left it in the shop. (= perhaps you left it in the shop)

·       I was surprised that Kate wasn't at the meeting yesterday. - She might not have known about it. (= perhaps she didn't know)

·       I wonder why David was in such a bad mood yesterday. - He may not have been feeling well. (= perhaps he wasn't feeling well)

We use may and might to talk about possible actions or happenings in the future:

·       I haven't decided yet where to go for my holidays. I may go to Ireland. (= perhaps I will go there)

·       Take an umbrella with you. It might rain later. (= perhaps it will rain)

·       The bus isn't always on time. We might have to wait a few minutes. (= perhaps we will have to wait)

The negative forms are may not and might not (mightn't):

·       Liz may not go out tonight. She isn't feeling well. (= perhaps she will not go out)

·       There might not be enough time to discuss everything at the meeting. (= perhaps there will not be enough time)

Might as well

Rose and Clare have just missed the bus. The buses run every hour.

-        What shall we do? Shall we walk?

-        We might as well. It's a nice day and I don't want to wait here for an hour.

We might as well do something = We should do it because there is no better alternative. There is no reason not to do it.

-        What time are you going out?

-        Well, I'm ready, so I might as well go now.

Buses are so expensive these days, you may as well get a taxi. (= taxis are as good, no more expensive)