Indicating likelihood
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Using modal verbs to indicate likelihood | page 6 of 7 |
Focusing on may and might
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When talking about possibility 
Note that might is not the past tense of may when talking about possibility except in reported speech. When reporting a statement about possibility, it is more common to use might for past tense rather than may:
He said it might be 10 to 20 years, if ever, before construction of an east-west runway began. (Bank of English)
In this example, the speaker's actual words were probably something like this:
"It may be 10 to 20 years, if ever, before construction of an east-west runway begins."
For conditional meaning
Both might and may can be used in the main clause of first conditional sentences, where a present tense occurs after if, with very little difference in meaning:
But even if he enters politics, he may never make president.
(Bank of English)
If he gets too fired up, he might get sent off. (Bank of English)
In second conditional sentences, where a past tense occurs after if, might is found in the main clause but not may:
If he became more agitated, he might scream or bite his arm.
(Bank of English)
When making polite suggestions
Both may and might can be used to make polite suggestions, but might is more common:
Mr Rind, you might care to help me with something I am working on.
(Bank of English)Yes, you are right, my jacket pocket needs mending. I caught it on the edge of a metal filing cabinet last week. I have no woman to look after me. You may care to repair it now. (Bank of English)
To indicate a mild criticism
The modal might is sometimes used as if giving a suggestion or some advice, but the effect is to offer criticism:
The threat from a third political party was real (and those who seek to portray Blair as SDP Mark Two might remember that he never for one moment contemplated joining SDP Mark One). (Bank of English)
Introduction
Focusing on may and might
