might
modal verb OPAL WOPAL S
/maɪt/
/maɪt/
Idioms - used when showing that something is or was possible
- He might get there in time, but I can't be sure.
- It might not be too late to save the building.
- I know Vicky doesn't like the job, but I mightn't find it too bad.
- The pills might have helped him, if only he'd taken them regularly.
- He might say that now (= it is true that he does), but he can soon change his mind.
- He might, if he chose, retire and live in luxury for the rest of his days.
- used as the past tense of may when reporting what somebody has said
- He said he might come tomorrow.
- Zheng said she might not stay in the city for long.
- used to make a polite suggestion
- You might try calling the help desk.
- I thought we might go to the zoo on Saturday.
- (British English) used to ask permission politely
- Might I use your phone?
- If I might just say something…
- (formal) used to ask for information
- How might the plans be improved upon?
- And who might she be?
- used to show that you are annoyed about something that somebody could do or could have done
- I think you might at least offer to help!
- Honestly, you might have told me!
- used to say that you are not surprised by something
- I might have guessed it was you!
- Her film was full of magical effects, as you might expect.
- used to emphasize that an important point has been made
- ‘And where is the money coming from?’ ‘You might well ask!’
Grammar Point modal verbsmodal verbs- The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will and would. Dare, need, have to and used to also share some of the features of modal verbs.
- Modal verbs have only one form. They have no -ing or -ed forms and do not add -s to the 3rd person singular form:
- He can speak three languages.
- She will try and visit tomorrow.
- Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive of another verb without to. The exceptions are ought to, have to and used to:
- You must find a job.
- You ought to stop smoking.
- I used to smoke but I gave up two years ago.
- Questions are formed without do/does in the present, or did in the past:
- Can I invite Mary?
- Should I have invited Mary?
- Negative sentences are formed with not or the short form -n’t and do not use do/does or did.
Idioms
may/might (just) as well do something
- used to say that something seems the best thing to do in the situation that you are in, although you may not really want to do it
- If no one else wants it, we might as well give it to him.
- used to say that there is no real difference between two things that you might do
- If you are going to have sugar, you may as well have a bar of chocolate.