Modal verb may. Modal verb Might in English. Cases of using modal verbs may and might

May and might are modal verbs in English that are often used interchangeably. At the same time, there are situations in which may is used more often, and in others - might. We will talk about this in our article. Read how to use may and might to express an assumption, request, prohibition, wish, reproach, etc.

Modal verbs in English express the speaker's attitude towards an action, rather than the action or process itself. Therefore, after each modal verb there will definitely be another one - a semantic one. This semantic verb must be used in the infinitive without the particle to.

Alice may get a promotion. - Alice can get increase.
I might go to the party tomorrow. - Maybe, I I'll go to the party tomorrow.

Many students confuse the modal verb may (possibly, maybe, probably) and the adverb maybe (possibly, probably). They both show the probability that something might happen, but they refer to different parts of speech.

How not to get confused when using maybe and may be? The adverb maybe is usually placed at the beginning of a sentence, and its closest synonym is perhaps (possibly, maybe).

Maybe/Perhaps they will come to the meeting. - Maybe, they will come to the meeting. (adverb, written together)
Not may be late for the meeting. - He, Maybe, will be late to the meeting. (modal verb + main verb, written separately)

When constructing negations and questions, modal verbs do not require helpers in the form of auxiliary words; they cope with this task independently. When negating, simply add not after may/might, and when asking a question, put may/might before the subject, at the beginning of the sentence.

They may not have time to visit us tomorrow. - Maybe, tomorrow they have Not there will be time to visit us.
You might not like him, but he is a good guy. - Maybe, he and you Not I like it, but he's a good guy.

May I borrow your pen, please? - Can Can I borrow your pen, please?
Might I have two days off the next week? - Can Should I take two days off next week?

Depending on the situation and time, the modal verbs may and might can be used with different forms of the infinitive. The table below shows its main forms and functions.

Please pay attention to the following nuances:

• The negative form may not cannot be abbreviated. Might not can be shortened to mightn't, but this form is rare.

  He may not may not be right. - He maybe not right
  He might not (mightn't) be right. - He maybe not right

• With singular subjects (he/she/it), you do not need to add the ending -s to the main verb after may and might.

  Dan may reads read every day. - Probably, Dan is reading every day.

• Might is considered the past form of the verb may, but it also has separate functions.

Cases of using modal verbs may and might

Let's start with the synonymous meanings of the modal verbs may and might.

1. Probability, uncertainty

   We are making an assumption that we are not 100% sure of. In such cases, may indicates a greater likelihood of an action occurring than might. In this case, may and might can be translated into Russian as “probably”, “probably”, “maybe”. Assumptions can be both about the present and the future.

   She may know him. - She, Maybe, knows him.
   She may be cooking dinner now. I saw her in the kitchen. - Maybe, she is preparing dinner now. I saw her in the kitchen.

   She might go to the USA on holiday, she hasn’t decided yet. - May be, she will go to the USA for vacation, she has not decided yet.
   I might not be able to meet you at the airport. I will let you know tomorrow. - May be, I have Not I will be able to meet you at the airport. I'll let you know tomorrow.

2. Request

   May and might are used to politely ask to do something. May is a more polite form compared to the modal verb can, which is also often used when making requests. And might is used quite rarely, only in formal situations.

   - May I see the manager, please?
   - Certainly.
   - Can can I see the manager please?
   - Certainly.

   - May I be excused?
   - Yes, please.
   - I'm sorry, Can should I go out?
   - Yes please.

   Excuse me, sir. Might I borrow these files for a moment, please? - I beg your pardon, sir. Can Shall I take these documents for a minute please?

3. Constructions may as well and might as well

   These constructions are translated into Russian as “nothing remains but how” or “why not”, “perfectly possible”.

   Since nobody wants to go to the cinema with me, I might as well stay at home and watch some film on my own. - Since no one wants to go to the cinema with me, I nothing remains, except stay home and watch a movie alone.
   We'll have to wait for another hour here. We may as well go and have some coffee. - We'll have to wait here for another hour. It's quite possible go have coffee.

   We also use this design when we are dissatisfied with any result. In this case, we translate it as “might as well” and use it with the perfect infinitive.

   My driver's school was so useless, I might as well have asked my younger brother to teach me to drive. - My driving courses were so useless. As well I I could ask my younger brother to teach me how to drive.

4. Constructions try as somebody may and try as somebody might

   These are cliché phrases for expressing regret and can be translated as “no matter what someone does” or “no matter how hard someone tries.”

   Try as I may, I can't learn this poem by heart. - No matter how hard I try, I can't memorize this verse.
   Try as he might, he could not find the criminal. - Whatever he does, but could not find the culprit.

Uses of the modal verb may

There are several functions that only the modal verb may performs.

1. Permission

   Use may in formal and written speech when you allow someone to do something.

   Passengers may take only one item of hand luggage on board. - Passengers can take only one piece of hand luggage on board. (written notice)
   You may make a phone call here. - You you can make a phone call here.

2. Ban

   When you forbid someone to do something, use may not. This form is used in formal settings.

   May not even became the butt of a joke among teachers in English-language schools. When does a student, instead of the more polite option, May I be excused? (Can I leave?) says Can I leave the room? (Can I go out?), the teacher answers: Yes, you can, but you may not. (Yes, you can, but I do not allow you.) By this, he means that the student is physically able to leave the room, but he does not have permission to do so.

   I am sorry, but customers may not enter this room. - Sorry, but buyers it is forbidden go into this room.
   We have some rules in this office. First, you may not smoke in here. - We have rules in this office. Firstly, here prohibited smoke.

3. Wishes

   May is used to express wishes. In such cases, may should come first in the sentence. In Russian, may in this context is translated as “let.”

   May your dreams come true. - Let your dreams will come true.

4. May in the meaning although (although)

   May can be used with a simple infinitive when we compare facts and point out the difference.

   He may be the manager, but it is not the reason to be late every day. - Although He is the leader, but that is not a reason to be late every day.
   You may know English better than me, but I think I should conduct negotiations. - Although You know English better, I think I should negotiate.

5. Typical cases

   May can be used in scientific and academic texts when describing typical cases.

   A lion may live in a pride or alone. - A lion Maybe live in a pride or alone.

Uses of the modal verb might

There are also cases when it is more appropriate to use the modal verb might.

1. Probability in the past

   Use might when talking about situations that happened in the past and were common at the time. After might we put a simple infinitive.

   You might go to the shop and buy an ice cream just for a few cents 50 years ago. We don't have such prices now. - 50 years ago you could go to the store and buy ice cream for just a few cents. There are no such prices now.
   For no reason at all your grandfather and I might pack our bags and go hitch-hiking. We were so young and free. - For no reason, your grandfather and I could pack your bags and hitchhike. We were so young and free.

2. Reproach or disapproval

   If the reproach refers to the present or future, then might is followed by a simple infinitive, but if we are talking about the past, then might is followed by a perfect infinitive.

   You might go and help your younger brother with homework. - You I would go And helped younger brother with homework.
   You might have told me you would be late. - I could have said that you'll be late.

3. A missed opportunity in the past

   We use might with the perfect infinitive when we regret something in the past - often about something that could have happened, but did not happen.

   He decided not to go to the interview. But I'm sure he might have got that job! - He decided not to go to the interview. But I'm sure he could get this job!
   I might have caught the train, but I left my passport at home and had to come back. - I would, Maybe, And managed on the train, but forgot my passport at home, and I had to return.

   Often, using this construction, the speaker is shocked by what almost happened.

   You might have died! Don’t you ever swim in the storm again! - You could have died! Never dare to sail in a storm!
   They might have been late for their own wedding! - Yes they we could have been late for your own wedding!

4. In conditional sentences of the second and third types

   The second type of conditional sentence refers to an unreal condition in the present or future - this situation cannot happen. In this case we use a simple infinitive (might do). The third type of conditional sentence refers to the past, often used to express regret about something. Here we already use the perfect infinitive (might have done).

   I might buy a new laptop if I saved money. - I I could buy it a new laptop if it would save money.
   He might have finished this task on time if his computer hadn’t broken down. - He, May be, And would have finished task on time if his computer hadn't broken down.

5. Suggestion, advice

   When we give any advice, we use might.

   You might ask your friend about the loan. - Can ask your friend about a loan.

We hope that now the use of modal verbs may and might will not be a problem for you. Take the test to put your knowledge into practice.

MAY is used for all persons in the present tense and relates an action to the present or future tense.

MIGHT is the past tense form of the verb may, used in different meanings in relation to the present, past and future tense.

Negative form: may not (mayn’t), might not (mightn’t).

Interrogative form: may I?, might I? etc.

Interrogative negative form: may I not (mayn’t I)?, might I not (mightn’t I)? etc.

After may, might followed by an infinitive without the particle to. Verb equivalent may - be allowed to (allowed) - used in the past and future tense.

Use of the verb may

1. To express permission.

You may come later.
You can come later. (Means that there is permission for you to come later.)

In the past tense, in such cases the verb to allow is used, but not might.

I may go there today.
I can go there today.

I was allowed to go there yesterday.
I was allowed to go there yesterday.

Might used in this meaning only in indirect speech, when the main verb is in the past tense (Simple Past).

Direct Speech: Didn't say, "They may go there." He said, "They can go there."
Indirect Speech: He said that they might go there. He said they could go there.

2. To express a polite request.

May I use your spade? Can I borrow your shovel?

Direct Speech: Didn't say, "May I use your rake?" He said, “Can I have your rake?”
Indirect Speech: He asked if he might use my rake. He asked if he could take my rake.

BUT: Might- to express a convincing, persistent request.

You might show me what you have done.
Please, show me what you did.

You might tell me where he went.
Well, please tell me where he went.

(Compare the use of might for this purpose with the verb can)

3. To express the possibility (to perform an action):

a) may/might + Present Indefinite expresses the possibility of performing an action in the present or future tense.

These samples may be chosen deliberately.
These samples can be selected (can be selected) randomly.

This may show us whether it is important or not.
This can show whether it is important or not.

He may come today (tomorrow).

He might come today (tomorrow).
Perhaps he will come today (tomorrow).

They may (might) return from school before dinner.
They will probably be back from school before lunch.

b) expresses the possibility of performing an action in the past.

They may/might have gone to do shopping after their work.
They probably (probably) went shopping after work.

He may have returned from his business trip.
He may have returned from a business trip.

4. To express doubt, uncertainty, assumptions of the speaker about possibilities of action.

May/might + Indefinite Infinitive used in relation to present and future tenses, a may/might + Perfect Infinitive- in relation to the past tense, with the Continuous infinitive - if the intended action occurs at the moment of speech, and with the Perfect Continuous infinitive - if the intended action occurs over a period of time. Moreover, compared to may, the verb might expresses a stronger degree of doubt and uncertainty.

Not may write to us. He might write to us.
She may be too busy. She may be very busy.
They may/might have gone to Moscow. They probably (maybe, perhaps) went to Moscow
He's in his office now and may be dictating letters to the secretary. He is now in his office and may be dictating letters to his secretary.
They may have been talking for half an hour.
They talked for probably half an hour.

Please note:
At the same time, might, rather than may, is often used with the Perfect Infinitive to show that there is no longer uncertainty. So, in the sentence You shouldn't have drunk the wine: it may/might have been drugged ( You shouldn't have drunk the wine - it could have been drugged) use may expresses that there is still uncertainty that the drug is not mixed, but the use might gives the statement the connotation that we now know that the drug was not spiked.

5. Might + Perfect Infinitive - used to express irritation, reproach.

Not might have sent us a telegram.
He could have sent us a telegram ( so that we could prepare for his arrival, but he did not send).

She might have helped you to do your homework.
She could help you with your homework. ( But she didn't want to help.)

May And might are modal verbs that have many interesting qualities. In some cases they can replace each other, in others they can act as a form of present and past tense, in others they can have completely different meanings. May And might sometimes cause difficulties for English learners, so in this article we will talk about the difference between them and examine in detail the cases of their use.

Features of the modal verbs may and might

To begin with, we propose to understand how sentences are constructed with may And might, because such proposals have several distinctive features.

In affirmative sentences after may And might we use the infinitive without a particle to. In questions may And might must be placed before the subject. In negative sentences we add to may/might particle not. To Russian may/might most often translated by the words “could”, “could”.

I might go. - I could go.

May she enter the room? - She Maybe enter the room?

I may not come. - I I can't come.

Pay attention to one feature: negation may not no shortened form.

We may not may not be at home today. - Us may not be today at home.

Negation might not may be reduced - mightn't, however, this form is rare.

It might rain today, mightn't it? - It might rain today is not it?

Let's consider other features of modal may And might:

1. Might is the past tense form of the verb may, But might also used as a stand-alone modal verb.
2. U may And might there are general functions and there are private ones: in some cases we can only use may, in others – only might.
3. WITH may And might we can use the regular infinitive ( may/might do), long ( may/might be doing) and perfect ( may/might have done). Regular infinitive ( may/might do) indicates an action in the present or future, continuous - a long-term action in the present or future, perfect - an action in the past.

Also, different functions may have their own peculiarities of using infinitives. We will talk about them further.

Well, now let's figure out how may And might are used in speech.

When we use the modal verbs may and might

First, we will look at cases where both verbs can be used - may And might. Here they are:

1. Possibility, uncertainty– probability, uncertainty.

   The most important function may/might is a probability. In this function may shows a greater degree of confidence than might. In translation into Russian we will use the words “may”, “maybe”, “should be”, “possibly”.

   This function has one feature: we can use long ( may/might be doing) and perfect ( may/might have done) infinitives to describe actions in the present, past and future. Regular infinitive ( may/might do) works according to standard rules: shows the present or the future. You can observe this feature in the cases listed below, since probability and uncertainty can manifest themselves in different ways:

   • We describe a typical situation or talk about a well-known fact.
     

     A driver may fall asleep if he doesn’t stop every two hours. - Driver can fall asleep, unless it stops every 2 hours.

     The flowers might have faded if I hadn't watered them regularly. - Flowers could wither, if I didn't water them regularly.

   • We make a guess about what might be true. As a rule, in this case we are not very confident in our words.
     

     – Where is Ken? -Where is Ken?
     – No idea. He may be in the kitchen. - Don't know, May be, in the kitchen.

     He might not have been at the concert. – Maybe, his did not have at the concert.

   • Nothing prevents us from performing or not performing any action. Circumstances are such that we can do something.
     

     We may go out tonight or we may not. – Maybe, We let's go for a walk tonight, a maybe we won't go.

     I might not answer the phone as I’ll be sleeping in the afternoon. - I I may not answer on the phone, since I will sleep during the day.

   • We talk about our possible plans or intentions. Here may/might usually used with the continuous infinitive.
     

     Don't call me at midday. I might be having lunch at this time. - Don't call me at noon. I I can have lunch at that time.

     I may be going to Switzerland soon. – May be, I I'll leave to Switzerland soon.

   And now a little life hack: if we can replace may/might in a word perhaps(possible), which means we are talking about probability.

   He might not have been at the concert. = Perhaps he was not at the concert. – Maybe, he was not at the concert.

   I may be going to Switzerland soon. = Perhaps I'm going to Switzerland soon. – May be, I'm leaving for Switzerland soon.

2. Request, asking for permission- request, request for permission.

   According to the rules of classical grammar, we use may/might when we want to politely make a request to someone or ask permission to do something. However, in spoken English, native speakers increasingly use a modal verb in this function. May/might preferable can in a formal context. Also in this meaning might a more polite verb than may.

   May I show you the papers, sir? – Can Shall I show you the papers, sir?

   Sorry to bother you, Mr. Smith. Might I have a day-off tomorrow? - Sorry to bother you, Mr. Smith. Can i Should I take tomorrow off?

3. Design may/might as well.

   Expression may/might as well used in such cases:

   • when we have to do something because we have no other choice;
   • if there is not much difference, what to do.

   This expression implies the following idea: it is better to do this than to do nothing at all. There are several translation options: “there is nothing (else) left (as)”, “why not”, “it is possible and”, “it is quite possible”, “it is possible at least”. It should be noted that the combination might as well occurs more often than may as well.

   We've missed our train. We might as well wait for the next one. - We missed the train. There is nothing else left but wait for the next one.

   – Are you leaving now? - Are you leaving now?
   – I don’t know. I might as well. - Don't know. It is possible Now.

   There is nothing to do here. I may as well go somewhere else. - There's nothing to do here. Quite possible, I'll go somewhere else.

4. Design may/might not...but.

   We use the design may/might not...but when we want to highlight some good quality in a person or thing. This construction is usually translated with the words “could not have been..., if not for...”, “would not have been, if not for...”.

   These memoirs may not be a masterpiece, but the author’s life experience is invaluable. – These memoirs wouldn't be masterpiece if not the author's invaluable experience.

   This girl might not have become a famous singer, but her voice was beautiful. - This girl might not be famous singer, if not her beautiful voice.

We got acquainted with the general functions of verbs may And might. Now we will look at each of them separately.

When to use the modal verb may

Some tasks are modal may didn't want to share with might. Let's figure out which ones exactly.

1. Permission and prohibition– permission and prohibition.

   We use a modal verb may, if we allow or allow someone to do something. To disable an action, we add to may negative particle not. It should be noted that may And may not in this meaning are often found in formal speech. We also use this modal verb when we speak with an unfamiliar person, boss or subordinate. To Russian may usually translated by the word “to be able”, may not- “impossible”, “must not”, “prohibited”.

   You may eat only one ice-cream at a time. - You you can eat it only one ice cream at a time.

   Mr. Hicks, you may participate in the debate on Saturday. - Mr. Hicks, you you can take part in Saturday's debate.

   Customers may not enter this room. – Buyers forbidden to enter to this room.

   You may not play football on the grass. - You shouldn't play football on the grass.

2. Wishes– wishes.

   By using may we can express our wishes to someone. In this case may goes to the beginning of a sentence. In Russian we will translate the modal verb with the word “let”.

   May this marriage brings you a lot of joy and happiness. – Let this marriage will bring you a lot of joy and happiness.

   May all your wishes come true. – Let all your wishes will come true.

3. Certainty- confidence.

   If we believe that some action is likely to happen, if we are almost certain of it, we can add to may adverb well. This combination will be translated by the words “probably”, “quite possible”.

   He may well take a taxi not to wait for a bus. - He, will probably take taxi so as not to wait for the bus.

   Adam may well not want to go to the hospital with us. – Adam may well not want to come with us to the hospital.

When to use the modal verb might

U might English also has its own problems. Let's see what functions this modal verb performs.

1. Polite advice- polite advice.

   Might as an independent modal verb, it is used to politely give advice or make an assumption about something. Most often in such cases might goes with the words: like(like, want), prefer(prefer) or want(want).

   You might like to try one of our wonderful desserts. - You, maybe you want try one of our wonderful desserts.

   You might prefer a cheaper accommodation. It will help you to save some money. – Maybe, You would you prefer cheaper housing. This will save you money.

2. Action that never happened- an action that did not happen.

   Verb might shows an action that could have happened but did not. At the same time, for might followed by a perfect infinitive ( have done). Often this feature indicates that the speaker is unhappy that something was not done. This construction is translated as “could”.

   He might have eaten a jar of jam if he hadn’t been full. - He could eat a jar of jam, if I weren't full.

   You might have washed the dishes! – Might as well wash it dishes!

3. Hardly possible situation- an unlikely situation.

   When we say that some situation is possible, we use and may, And might. But if we are talking about a situation that is impossible or unlikely, then we should use might. The context helps us understand whether the situation before us is real or not: something would have happened if some circumstances had not interfered. Often used to express this function. We will translate into Russian might as "could".

   Alice might come here tonight, but she is working till late. – Alice could come today, but she works late.

   I might finish my report if you didn’t ask me stupid questions. - I could finish report, if you didn't ask me stupid questions.

   If it hadn’t been so hot yesterday, we might have gone somewhere. – If it hadn’t been so hot yesterday, we would go somewhere.

4. Typical situation in the past- a typical situation in the past.

   Verb might can be used in situations where we want to communicate that some action was habitual, typical, or usual in the past. Usually in such cases we mention that the action took place a long time ago. Even though we are talking about action in the past, might will be used with the regular infinitive ( might do).

   During the Middle Ages a girl might get married at the age of 12. – In the Middle Ages young woman could get married at the age of 12 years.

   Years ago you might see just a couple of cars in the street. – Many years ago on the streets could be seen just a couple of cars.

5. Verb Substitute may.

   When agreeing tenses and in indirect speech we will use might, even if according to the rules there should be may.

   Action in the present	Action in the past
   Caroline isn't talking to Rick. They may/might have had an argument. Caroline not talking with Rick. Maybe, they quarreled.	Caroline wasn't talking to Rick. They might have had an argument. Caroline didn't talk with Rick. Maybe, they quarreled.
   Direct speech	Indirect speech
   Our coach told us, “You may stay up a little bit later tonight.” Our trainer said to us: “You you can go to bed a little later today."	Our coach told us that we might stay up a little bit later tonight. Our trainer said us that we we can go to bed a little later today.

Typically, English learners have the most difficulty with the notorious perfect infinitive. Let's watch a video in which they will tell us about the cases of using the perfect infinitive and other subtleties may And might.

And to finally consolidate the topic and understand how well you understand it, take our test.

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Test

Modal verbs may and might in English

How to Express Probability:maymight,could

A category such as probability is expressed in English by modal verbs - may, might , could. In general, the concept of probability means that the speaker thinks that something is possible, but does not know for sure and implies “maybe, perhaps.” These verbs express a probability of approximately 50%, i.e. it's not very big. If we distribute these verbs according to the degree of expression of probability, then may- expresses a high degree of probability, but could- less than may And might.

Olga may be at home now – Olga is probably home now

He might be at the theatre. – He's probably in the theater

He could be at library or at school. – Perhaps he is in the library or at school.

Negative forms - may not And might not:

Jack might not be in his office. – Jack may not be in the office

I"m not sure whether I can lend you any money. I may not have enough. – I'm not sure if I can lend you money. Maybe I don't have enough (money).

• Verbs May And Could also have other meanings, and Might has only one meaning - probability. (might is used to make a polite request in the same way as May, but the use of Might in this sense is extremely rare.) Since the verbs may and could can have other meanings, it is necessary to take into account the context in which they are used in a given situation.

It is often very difficult to distinguish in what sense a modal verb is used. For example:

You may phone now. - You can call now. (permission)

She may phone soon. - She might call soon. (probability)

John may phone - John can call. (resolution or probability? Since there is no context, it is difficult to understand what is meant)

• However, if after verbs May, Could the infinitive is used be, then this shows us that the meaning of “probability” is used in the sentence. The perfect infinitive of the main verb after these modals communicates that the meaning is "probability":

They may be at home. - Perhaps they are at home.

You may be right. - Maybe you're right.

He could be sleeping now. - He's probably sleeping now.

He may have left already. - He may have already left.

He could have been sleeping when I called him. - Maybe he was sleeping when I called him.

May, might, couldin present and past tense

These modal verbs meaning "probability" are used in two tenses: present And past.

The future tense is usually expressed in present tense forms using adverbs of time relating to the future (tomorrow, soon, in the morning/evening).

Mary may be at office now. - Marie is probably in the office now.

He may leave for Scatland soon. - He may leave for Scotland soon.

She may not know my name. - She may not know my name.

John might be at the school. - John may be at school.

He might go there tomorrow. - He can go there tomorrow.

Liza might not come back soon. - Lisa may not be back soon.

I don't imagine where she could be. - I can't imagine where she could be.

It could be there, but I can"t remember clearly. - It might be there, but I don't remember exactly.

With a continuous infinitive (ContinuousInfinitive):

Carla may be sleeping now. - Perhaps Carla is sleeping now.

Frank could be still writing his exam at the school at the moment. - Frank is probably still writing his exam at school at the moment.

WITHpassiveinfinitive:

This festival may be opened tomorrow. - Perhaps this festival will open tomorrow

She might be offered a new job. - Perhaps she will be offered a new job.

• To talk about probability in the past we use may c: perfect infinitive, perfect continuous infinitive , perfect passive infinitive

I wonder why Ann didn't answer the doorbell. - I'm surprised Ann didn't answer the phone.

Well, I suppose she may have been asleep. - Well, I guess she was probably asleep.

Why didn't he say hello when he passed us on the street? - Why didn't he say hello when he passed us on the street?

He might have been daydreaming. - Perhaps he was daydreaming (thoughtful and didn’t notice us).

I can"t find my bag anywhere. - I can't find my bag anywhere

You might have left it's in the store. - Perhaps you left it at the store.

I wonder why Jill didn't come to the meeting. - I wonder why Jill didn't come to the meeting

She might not have known about it. - Perhaps she didn't know about it.

It must be remembered that verbs May And Might have their own past tense forms (may have done, might have done), in some cases Might used as the past tense form for May, for example, in indirect speech according to the rules of tense agreement.

It's important to remember that Might used in conditional sentences with an unreal condition to express an assumption, while both May and Might are used in sentences with a real condition to express probability.

If he wrote her the letter, she might forgive him. - If he wrote her a letter, she might forgive him (an unreal condition relating to the present or future)

If he had written her the letter, she might have forgiven him. - If he wrote her a letter, she might forgive him (an unreal condition related to the past)

If he writes her the letter, she may forgive him. - If he writes her a letter, she may forgive him. (real condition relating to the future)

If he writes her the letter, she might forgive him. - If he fixes his car, she might forgive him. (real condition relating to the future)

Important:

Could is also used in conditional sentences with an unreal condition.

May, Might, Could in questions

Verbs May And Might in the meaning of “probability” are not used in questions. For this purpose the following expressions are used: be likely(to be probable, similar); Is it possible? ; Are you sure?

Is she likely to arrive soon? - Is it likely that she will arrive soon?

Are you sure that the store opens at 9? - Are you sure the store opens at 9?

The verb Could is used in questions, but an accurate and clear context is required to distinguish the meaning of “probability” from other meanings of Could.

For example:

Could you be more specific? - Could you (be) more specific? (request)

Could he be lying to us about his past? - Could it be that he is lying to us about his past? (probability)

Could you write her a letter? - Could you write her a letter? (request)

Could he write in English when he was 15? - Could he write in English when he was 15? (ability; here Could is the past tense form of the verb Can)

Could he have written this letter? - Could he have written this letter? (probability)

Important:

Often people who study English make mistakes when asking questions about the likelihood of something. The easiest way to avoid mistakes is to use the phrases - be likely, Is it possible ,Are you sure instead of May, Might, Could in questions.

Negative declarative sentences

May And Might are used in negative declarative sentences to mean that there is a possibility that some action will not happen.

Gary may not be office yet. - Garry may not be in the office yet.

She may not have received my letter. - Perhaps she did not receive my letter.

It might not be true. - Perhaps this is not true.

She might not remember his telephone number. - She may not remember his phone number.

Could in a negative form, usually in combination - couldn't be in the present tense and with the perfect infinitive of the main verb in the past tense, means impossibility, improbability. Cannot is used in the same way and with the same meaning. (Couldn't be considered a more polite or soft form) Couldn't And can"t in this meaning indicate that the speaker strongly believes that something is truly impossible.

It couldn't be true! / It can't be true! - It can not be true!

It couldn"t have been true! / It can"t have been true! - This couldn't be true! / This couldn't be true!

Anton couldn't be lying to us. He is an honest man. - It can't be that Anton is lying to us. He is an honest man.

He couldn't have taken the money! / He can't have taken the money! - It can't be that he took the money! / It can’t be that he took the money!

It couldn't have been Tom. Tom was in Chicago last week. - It couldn't be Tom. Tom was in Chicago last week.

Is this a joke? You can't be serious! - It's a joke? You can't be serious when you say this!

Construction: May, Might, Couldt with “have to” and “be able to”

May, might are also used in combination with "have to" and "be able to".

He may have to go away. - He may have to leave.

John might have to visit her lawyer. - John may have to visit her lawyer

They might be able to help Alice. - Perhaps they can help Alice.

She might not be able to come to the party tomorrow. - She may not be able to come to the party tomorrow.

He might have been able to solve this problem. - Perhaps he could solve this problem.

Substitutes for verbs May, might, could or how to express probability differently

The adverbs maybe (maybe), possibly (perhaps) and the phrase It is possible that (It is possible that) are simple and useful substitutes for modal verbs of this group

Maybe he's still at home. - Maybe he's still at home.

Maybe he was really sick yesterday. - Maybe he was really sick yesterday.

Maybe he will tell us about it. - Maybe he'll tell us about it.

Maybe she didn't go there. - Maybe she didn't go there.

Perhaps he"ll come back. - Perhaps he will return.

It's possible that she doesn't know them. - It is possible that she does not know them.

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Basic meaning of modal verb may- assumption and resolution, translated into Russian as “possible, maybe, probably.”

Forms of the modal verb may

May has two temporary forms: may- present tense form (Present Simple) and might- past tense form (Past Simple).

Both forms and may, And might used with all persons.

You may go - You may not go - May I go?

You might go - You might not go (You mightn't go) - Might I go?

After a modal verb may/ might followed by an infinitive verb without particle to . Notice the missing particle to after may/ might!

Modal verb may. Use

Modal verb may used:

to express permission. May not in this case, he expresses the refusal “you can’t, I don’t allow”:

You may take only one brochure. — You can only take one brochure (permit).
You may take my pen. — You can take my pen (permission).
You may not park your car in front of the gate. — You cannot park your car in front of the gate (not allowed).

to express a polite request, and more formal than with the verb:

May we come a bit later? - Can we come a little later? (polite request)
May I sit next to you? -Can I sit next to you? (polite request)

Permission and request from may will always sound more formal than with can.

to express possibility, existing due to objective circumstances:

These tablets may produce serious side effects if not taken in the correct dosage. - These pills can cause serious side effects if not taken in the correct dosage (typical case).

to express an assumption, mixed with doubt. Translated into Russian “perhaps, maybe.” In this meaning after may different forms of the infinitive may follow depending on the time when the action occurs:

He may come. - He may come (He may come).
She may be working now. — She may be working now (She may be working now).
They may have arrived hours ago. - They may have arrived a few hours ago (They could have arrived a few hours ago).
He may have been waiting for us for an hour already. “He’s probably been waiting for us for an hour.”

Use of might

Might used:

as a past tense form from may when agreeing tenses in indirect speech:

He asked if he might borrow the car. — He asked if he could borrow the car. (He asked, ‘May I borrow the car?’)
He said that he might come. “He said he might come.” (He said, “I may come.”)

to express an extremely polite request:

Might I ask do you have a question? - Can I ask you a question? (very polite request)

to express an assumption, mixed with doubt. In this meaning after might different forms of the infinitive can also follow:

I might go to the movies tonight. — Maybe I’ll go to the cinema tonight (maybe I will, although I’m not sure).
It might rain later. — It might rain later (or maybe not).
It's ten o'clock. They might have arrived now. - Ten o'clock. Perhaps they have arrived (or maybe they have not arrived yet).

Difference between may and might

From the above, we see that may, And might are used to express assumption mixed with doubt. In this meaning may / might practically interchangeable. There is a small nuance: might expresses less confidence than may. In percentage terms it will look like this:

I may pass the exam. — Perhaps I’ll pass the exam (I’m about 50-60% sure, maybe I’ll pass it after all)
I might pass the exam. — Perhaps I will pass the exam (I am about 20-30% sure, that is, the likelihood that I will pass the exam is extremely small).

Be allowed to is the equivalent of the modal verb may

At the modal verb may there is an equivalent be allowed to, which can be used in different tenses and convey the resolution value:

Present Simple: am / is / are + allowed to — We are allowed to stay at home. — We are allowed to stay at home (we can stay).
Past Simple: was / were + allowed to — We were allowed to stay at home. - We were allowed to stay at home.
Future Simple: will be + allowed to — We will be allowed to stay at home. - We will be allowed to stay at home.