Modal verbs: MIGHT

MIGHT/MIGHTN’T(might not) – ‘may’ and ‘might’ are most of the times, interchangeable.

  • Present or future possibility. (‘may’ and ‘could’ can also be used)
    “They might be sleeping”
    “She might give us a lift”
    “They might be there already”
    “They might be there tomorrow”
  • Negative possibilities (‘Couldn’t’ cannot be used)
    “They might not be sleeping”
    “She might not give us a lift”
    “They might not be there yet”
    “They might not be there tomorrow”
  • Used to talk about possible actions or happenings in the future. (same as ‘may’ and ‘could’)
    “Tell me about your problem. I might be able to help you” (= perhaps I can help you)
    “I’m not feeling well…I mightn’t go out tonight” (= perhaps will not come)
  • Used when the situation is not real.
    “If they paid me better, I might work harder” – but they do not pay me well, so I’m not going to work harder.
    “If I were in your position, I might look for another job” – but I am not in your position, so I do not look for another job.
  • Might as well do something = we should do it because there is no better alternative. There is no reason not to do it.
    “I might as well go with you”
    “We might as well be lovers on the sun” (David Guetta)

Might (not) have + past participle OR May (not) have + past participle (Used for the past)
“I might have left my phone at home. I can’t find it anywhere”
“I may have left my keys in the car. They are not in my pocket”

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