May or Might

We can use 'may' to ask for permission. However this is rather formal and not used very often in modern spoken English

• May I borrow your pen?
• May we think about it?
• May I go now?

We use 'may' to suggest something is possible

• It may rain later today.
• I may not have time to do it today.
• Pete may come with us

might

We use 'might' to suggest a small possibility of something. Often we read that 'might' suggests a smaller possibility that 'may', there is in fact little difference and 'might is more usual than 'may' in spoken English.

• She might be at home by now but it's not sure at all.
• It might rain this afternoon.
• I might not have time to go to the shops for you.
• I might not go.

For the past, we use 'might have'.

• He might have tried to call while I was out.
• I might have dropped it in the street.

EXERCISES:

1. Take your umbrella as it may rainsmay rainmight rained today.
2. He is still at work ! He may comesmay comemight came late I am afraid.
3. John couldn't repair his washing-machine; he might have askedmay askedmights ask his neighbour.
4. They talked too loudly. They might has wokemight have wakemight have woken the baby !
5. Darling! I wonder if I might offersmight offermay offer you that marvellous car you saw yesterday ?
6. Mum ! My friends are having a party tonight ; may I gonemay I gomay they go please?
7. Sweetheart ! As you were at home, you might have donemay have donemight have do the ironing, don't you think ?
8. Yes darling, but I was afraid I may burnmight burnedmight have burnt your marvellous shirt !
9. He might ismay beenmay be late because his flight has been delayed.
10. Look at those clouds ! It mays rainwill may rainmay rain in a minute.