UNIT II -- MAY_MIGHT

 

MAY_MIGHT

May and Might are two other modal verbs that we use to talk about something that could or may happen, but about which we are not sure.

Since they are auxiliary verbs, they can never function in the sentence as the main verb, but precede it and condition it, for example:

-Jack may come to eat with us.

-I might call you tomorrow.

We usually use these two modals to express possibility, as in the examples we have just seen, but we can also use them to ask for something or make any type of request in a kind and respectful way.

-May I have a pizza?

-Might I interrupt you, boss?

The main difference between these two modal verbs is that we can also use might to talk about requirements that were made in the past.

-He wanted to know if he might come with us.

To make negative sentences with might and may, you just have to add the conjunction not between the modal verb and the main verb of the sentence, like this:

Subject + may/might + not + main verb + complement