May
Among the modal verbs, may is the most polite one to use.
The modal verb may is used to express the following ideas.
Examples:
- A gas leak may have caused the explosion. (Probability)
- Don’t go near! It may be poisonous. (Possibility)
- May I have another lollipop? (Asking for permission); Yes, you may. (Giving permission)
- May you live to the ripe old age of 100. (Wish/Hope)
- Carl, may I borrow that red cap of yours? (Polite request/Question)
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It may be wise to stop seeing him forever. (Suggestion)
Might
Unlike the modal verb may, might has a contraction in mightn’t. This negative form of might can be used in asking a question
- Mightn’t that hairy animal be a monkey?
The modal verb might is used to express the following ideas.
Examples:
- She said he might go to Hell for what he did to her. (Past tense of may)
- I might have stepped on the banana skin and fallen if I had not noticed it. (Possibility)
- Might I ask why you two are not speaking to each other? (Permission)
- You might like to have a look at my two new pets – a turtle and a guinea pig. (Suggestion)
- You might at least try to look like you were enjoying the soup. (Annoyance)
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If you were in a desert, you might be caught in a sandstorm. (Condition)