May vs. Might (Epistemic Possibility)

These words are called modal verbs. Don't worry about that big name. Just remember they are 'helper' words. They help the main action verb. They add a feeling of doubt or possibility. The best part? They are very simple to use. They do not change. Most English verbs change for he or she. These do not. You don't need to add an s at the end. You don't need to change the main verb either. It stays in its basic form. It is like a 'one size fits all' shirt. It works for everyone. It makes your life much easier. You just drop them into the sentence. Then you are ready to go. No complex conjugation is needed here. Yes, even native speakers mess up other verbs. But may and might are hard to break. They are steady and reliable. Use them with confidence!

1. 1Start with your subject like I, you, he, she, we, or they.
2. 2Add may or might right after the subject.
3. 3Put the base verb next. Use no to before it.
4. 4For negatives, just add not. Put it after may or might.
5. 5To ask a question, swap the subject and may. This is very formal.
6. 6Example: I + might + go.
7. 7Negative: I + might + not + go.
8. 8Question: May + I + go?
9. 9Notice there is no to go. It is just go. Also, she might go is correct. She mights go is very wrong. Don't let the 's' monster trick you! Think of may and might as a shield. They protect the verb from changing.

Use these for things that are not certain.

• Weather: "It might snow tomorrow."
• Plans: "I may visit my grandma this weekend."
• Suggestions: "You might like this new sushi place."
• Food: "I might order pizza tonight if I am tired."
• Job Interviews: "I may need to check my references first."
• Asking Directions: "This might be the street we need."

Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Green is will. Yellow is might. Red is won't. You are in the yellow zone. It is the zone of "we will see." It is great for being polite too. If you aren't sure, don't guess with will. Use might to be safe. It shows you are being honest about your doubt.

Do not use these when you are 100% sure.

If you have a ticket in your hand, say "I am going."

Don't say "I might go" if you are already on the train.

Don't use them for things that always happen.

"The sun may rise" sounds like a scary movie plot.

In real life, the sun rises. It is a fact.

Also, avoid them for daily habits.

"I might brush my teeth every day" sounds a bit weird.

Your dentist would be very worried about your teeth!

Stick to guesses and future possibilities. If it is a fixed schedule, use the simple present. If it is a strong promise, use will. Save may and might for the mysteries of life.

The biggest mistake is adding to.

✗ "I may to go to the store."

✓ "I may go to the store."

Another common one is adding s for he or she.

✗ "He mights arrive soon."

✓ "He might arrive soon."

Sometimes people forget where not goes in the sentence.

✗ "I not might come to the party."

✓ "I might not come to the party."

Lastly, don't confuse maybe and may be.

Maybe is one word. It usually starts a sentence.

May be is two words. It is the verb inside the sentence.

It is like a puzzle piece. If it doesn't fit the verb spot, it is probably the adverb maybe.

People often ask about the word can.

Can is about ability or power. "I can swim."

May is about possibility or permission. "I may swim."

If you say "I can swim," you know how to do it.

If you say "I may swim," you are thinking about jumping in.

Or you might stay dry on the grass!

Then there is will.

Will is for 100% certainty.

Might is for 50% or even less.

It is like a volume knob for the truth.

Turn it all the way up for will. Turn it down for might.

Might is also a bit more common in British English.

May can sound a little more formal or like a textbook.

But in a coffee shop, nobody will mind which one you use.

They are basically twins in modern conversation.