Intermediate English · 18 min
May and might
The point
May and might plus the base mean something is possible, not certain. Maybe is a separate adverb. Do not add to, and do not stack maybe onto the modal.
Form and use
May and might plus the base say something is possible now or later, not certain. She may be late. It might rain. There is no to, and the verb takes no -s. Might is a little less sure than may. Both stay weak.
Read the full set. I may go. You may be late. He may wait. She may leave. We may stay. They may come. I might go. You might be late. He might wait. She might leave. I may not go. You may not know. She may not come. I might not go. You might not know. He might not wait. May I come in? Might she be late? It could rain. She could be late.
Not follows the modal. She may not come means it is possible she will not come. Do not write she may doesn't come. Maybe is a separate adverb: Maybe she is late. Do not stack it on the modal. She maybe might be late hedges twice.
Could plus the base is one step softer than might. It could rain later. Could takes no to. Use will only when you decide or predict more firmly. A possibility is not a rule, so do not replace might with must.
Don't translate it like this
Don't say
It might to rain.
Say
It might rain.
비가 올 수도 있습니다.
Might plus the base rain.
Short examples
It might rain.
비가 올 수도 있습니다.
She may be late.
그녀는 늦을 수도 있습니다.
She may be late tonight.
그녀는 오늘 밤 늦을 수도 있습니다.
It might rain before noon.
정오 전에 비가 올 수도 있습니다.
He may not know the date.
그는 날짜를 모를 수도 있습니다.
They might not wait for us.
그들은 우리를 기다리지 않을 수도 있습니다.
Maybe the train is late.
기차가 늦을지도 모릅니다.
It could rain later.
나중에 비가 올 수도 있습니다.
May I come in now?
지금 들어가도 됩니까?
We might stay until six.
우리는 여섯 시까지 남을 수도 있습니다.
Questions
Every question has to be right to close this point.
Answer every question, then check.