Unit 29: might

Use might + infinitive when something is possible but not certain. The negative is might not; may works in the same way, and May I ... ? asks for permission.

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A might + infinitive

Ellen asks her brother where he is going for his birthday. He says: I'm not sure. I might go to Whitby. (= it is possible that he will go to Whitby)

She looks out at the grey sky and says: It might snow. (= it is possible that it will snow)

The form is might + infinitive (might go, might be, might snow etc.):

Subject	might	Infinitive
I / we / you / they / he / she / it	might (not)	be, go, play, come etc.

He might go to Whitby.
It might snow later.
They might not come.

B I might ... = it is possible that I will ...

I might ... means that it is possible that I will do something. It is not certain.

Compare sure and possible:

Sure	Possible
I'm playing squash on Thursday.	I might play squash on Thursday.
Alan is going to ring later.	Alan might ring later.

I might go swimming after work. (= it is possible that I will go)
A: When is Carys coming round? B: I'm not sure. She might come on Sunday.
Put a coat on. It might be cold later.
Try again. You might win this time. (= perhaps you will win)
"Are you going to the quiz tonight?" "I might." (= I might go)

C The negative: might not

The negative is might not. It means that it is possible that something will not happen.

I might not go to college tomorrow. (= it is possible that I will not go)
Jamie might not like the present. (= it is possible that he will not like it)

D may

You can use may in the same way. I may ... = I might ...

May I ... ? means Is it all right if I ... ? or Can I ... ? It is polite, and a little formal.

I may go swimming after work. (= I might go)
Jamie may not like the present. (= Jamie might not like it)
May I borrow your pen? (= Can I borrow it?)
"May I come in?" "Yes, of course."

Exercises

29.1 Write sentences with might (items 1 to 5) and might not (items 6 and 7).

(it's possible that I'll go to the beach)
I might go to the beach.
I might go to the beach.
(it's possible that I'll ring you tonight)
(it's possible that Owen will forget his keys)
(it's possible that it will be windy tomorrow)
(it's possible that I'll be home early today)
(it's possible that Becky will not be at the meeting)
(it's possible that I won't finish this report today)

29.2 Somebody is asking about your plans. You have some ideas, but you are not sure. Choose from the list and write sentences with I might.

Cornwallcurrygo outnew phoneon Fridaytrain

Where are you going this summer? I'm not sure. (Cornwall)
I might go to Cornwall.
Where are you going this summer? I'm not sure. I might go to Cornwall.
What are you doing tonight? I don't know. (go out)
When are you going to see your grandma? I'm not sure. (on Friday)
What are you going to have for tea? I don't know. (curry)
How are you getting to Sheffield tomorrow? I'm not sure. (train)
I hear you got a bonus at work. What are you going to do with it? I haven't decided yet. (new phone)

29.3 You ask Dawn about her plans. Sometimes she is sure, but usually she is not. Write about Dawn. Use might where necessary.

Are you going swimming tomorrow? Yes, in the morning.
She's going swimming tomorrow morning.
She's going swimming tomorrow morning.
Are you going to the pub tonight? Possibly.
She might go to the pub tonight.
She might go to the pub tonight.
Are you going to have a lie-in on Saturday? Perhaps.
Are you working on Friday? No, I'm not.
Will you be in the office on Monday? Maybe.
Are you going to ring your brother tonight? I might.
Are you meeting Jen for lunch tomorrow? Yes, I am.
Are you going to wash the car this weekend? Perhaps.

29.4 Write three things that you might do tomorrow.

Something you might do.
Something else you might do.
Something else you might do.

might