When may and when might. Modal verbs may and might. Using the modal verb MAY

How to express probability:may,might,could

A category such as probability is expressed in English language 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 means "maybe, maybe". 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 probability expression, then May- expresses a high degree of probability, but could- less than May and might.

Olga May be at home now Olga might be at home now

He might be at the theatre. - He may be in the theater

He could be at library or at school. - Maybe he's 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 in 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 the modal verb is used. For instance:

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

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

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

However, if after the verbs May, could the infinitive is used be, this shows us that the sentence uses the value "probability". The perfect infinitive of the main verb after these modal verbs communicates that the meaning is "probability":

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

You may be right. - Perhaps you `re right.

He could be sleeping now. - He may be sleeping now.

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

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

May, might, couldin present and past tense

These modal verbs in the meaning of "probability" are used in two tenses: present and past.

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

Mary May be at office now. - Marie might be in the office right 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 might be at school.

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

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

I don't imagine where she is could be. - I have no idea where she might be.

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

With continued infinitive (ContinuousInfinitive):

Carla May be sleeping now. - Maybe Carla is sleeping now.

Frank could be still writing his exam at the school at the moment. - Frank is probably still writing an 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. - She might be offered a new job.

To talk about the 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 wonder why Ann didn't answer the phone.

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

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

He might have been daydreaming. - Perhaps he was daydreaming (thoughtful and did not notice us).

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

You might have left it in the store. - You may have 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 a past tense form for May, for example, in indirect speech according to the rules of tense coordination.

It is important to remember that Might used in conditional sentences with an unrealistic 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 could forgive him (an unrealistic condition referring to the present or future)

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

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

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

Important:

could also used in conditional sentences with an unrealistic condition.

May, Might, Could in questions

Verbs May and Might in the meaning of "probability" are not used in questions. For this, 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 store opens at 9? - Are you sure the store opens at 9?

The verb Could is used in questions, but a precise and understandable context is required to distinguish the meaning of "probability" from other meanings of Could.

For instance:

Could you be more specific? - Could you (say) 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 (could) he write in English when he was 15? (ability; here Could is the past tense of the verb Can)

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

Important:

It is not uncommon for English learners to make mistakes about the likelihood of something. The easiest way to avoid mistakes is if you 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 occur.

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

She may not have received my letter. - She may not have received 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 combined - couldn't be in the present tense and with the perfect infinitive of the main verb in the past tense, means impossibility, improbability. Can not is used in the same way and with the same meaning. (Couldn "t is considered a more polite or mild form) Couldn't and can't in this sense indicate that the speaker strongly believes that something is really impossible.

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

It couldn't have been true! / It can't have been true! - It couldn't be true! / It 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! - This is a joke? You can't be serious!

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 might not be able to come to the party tomorrow.

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

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

The adverbs maybe (maybe), perhaps (maybe) 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 will 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.

Modal verb May most often used to express possibility and conjecture. It can also be used to give permission and ask permission, although it is used less and less in this sense in modern English.

For instance:
Cheryl May be at home, or perhaps at work.
Cheryl maybe be at home, and maybe at work. ( Expresses a possibility, an assumption.)

Johnny, you May leave the table when you have finished your dinner.
Johnny you can get up from the table when you finish eating. ( Expresses permission.)

May I use your bathroom?
Can use your bathroom? ( Expresses a request for permission.)

Using the modal verb may in the present, past and future tense

In most cases, the use of modal verbs in the past and future is different from other verbs. The table below shows modal verb usage May in different situations.

Usage	affirmative forms 1. Real 2. Past 3. Future	Negative forms 1. Real 2. Past 3. Future	Synonyms
May in the meaning of possibility, conjecture	1.Jack May be upset. I can't really tell if he is annoyed or tired. Jack maybe be upset. I can't tell for sure if he's irritated or tired. 2.Jack May have been upset. I couldn't really tell if he was annoyed or tired. Jack could be upset. I couldn't tell if he was annoyed or tired. 3.Jack May get upset if you don't tell him the truth. Jack maybe get upset if you don't tell him the truth.	1.Jack may not be upset. Perhaps he is tired. Maybe, Jack not disappointed. Maybe he's tired. 2.Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was tired. Maybe, Jack not was upset. Maybe he was tired. 3.Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the truth. Jack maybe and not upset even if you tell him the truth.	might
May in the meaning of permission	1. You May leave the table now that you "re finished with your dinner. You can get up from the table once you've finished your dinner. 2. Changes to " be allowed to" You were allowed to leave the table after you finished your dinner. You it could be get up from the table when you have finished eating. 3. You May leave the table when you finish your dinner. You can get up from the table when you finish eating.	1. You may not leave the table. You "re not finished with your dinner yet. You it is forbidden get up from the table. You haven't finished your dinner yet. 2. Changes to " be allowed to" You were not allowed to leave the table because you hadn "t finished your dinner. You it was impossible get up from the table because you haven't finished your dinner yet. 3. You may not leave the table until you are finished with your dinner. You it is forbidden get up from the table until you finish dinner.	be allowed to, can
May in the sense of a request for permission	May I borrow your eraser? Can borrow your eraser? May I make a phone call? Can call? Requests usually refer to the near future.	There is no negative form.	can, might

May and might are modal verbs, as are would, should, could other. Modal verbs differ from the rest in that they do not denote an action, but the attitude of the speaker to the action. Different modal verbs in the same sentence change its meaning:
I may go to the concert. Perhaps I will go to the concert.
I should go to the concert. - I should go to the concert.
I would go to the concert. - I will definitely go to the concert.

Differences between May and might usually barely perceptible. Both modal verbs express an assumption based on uncertainty, however, May expresses more likely implementation of the action expressed by the semantic verb, compared with might.
I may go to the concert. - Perhaps I'll go to a concert (beloved friend invites)
I might go to the concert. Perhaps I will go to the concert. (invites least favorite cousin)

Situations for comparison:
I might clean your room. Maybe I'll clean your room.
I may call my friend later. I'll probably call a friend later.

I might climb Mt. Everest someday.Maybe someday I will climb Mount Everest.
I may go hiking in the foothills next weekend. Maybe I'll go hiking next weekend.

Talking about the difference of verbs May and might, should be remembered about two exceptions from this rule.
1. Might may be past form May. So might should be used when we are talking about an action in the past. Even if it is known that a person with a high probability went to a concert, it is still an option He may have gone to the party would be incorrect in this case. Correct to say: He might have gone to the party. (might will denote not the degree of probability compared to May, and the probability is in the past).
2. Recommended to use might(regardless of the degree of probability), when it comes to something that probably won't happen, May in this case, it can be misunderstood that the action is not allowed. For example, if you are not sure if you will go to a concert, and talk about it We may not go to the party, the interlocutor (reader) may understand this to mean that you are not allowed to go. This is especially true for the written text, where facial expressions and voices that help convey certain feelings are absent. Option We might not go to the party can only be understood as the probability of not taking an action. Might in this case looks win-win.

We continue to master the category of modality in English. As already noted, these grammatical forms help convey probability, prohibition, permission, desire, etc. Today, the modal verb may, which is responsible for expressing an opportunity or a request, will fall into our field of vision. Along with can, this word is the most used in English speech to indicate modality. Let us consider how these constructions are compiled, how their meanings are expressed, and in what situations they should be used.

May is a very original construction, which not only has several meanings, but can, under certain conditions, be divided into two (separate from each other!) Forms. Often in teaching aids even there is a generalized name "modal verbs may and might » . Later we will find out why such a transformation occurs, and now we will study the grammatical construction.

To make a statement, it is enough to take a simple infinitive, after separating the to particle from it.

granny May calltodayGrandma can call today.

The form of the predicate will be the same in all persons of pronouns and nouns. To pose a question, may is rearranged to the beginning of a phrase, and to create a negation, it attaches not. It is important to remember that this verb has no abbreviations.

May shevisitustoday? - Can she visit us today?
I May not finishtheworkintimeI may not finish this work in time.

According to the rules English grammar, the modal verb may can only be used with aspects of the present tense, and in constructions there are continuous, simple and continuous infinitives. To express future events, it is necessary to replace may with a stable combination to be allowed to.

She will be allowed to come -Hercanwillcome.

When denoting past events, this verb takes the form might, and all the same rules listed above are valid for it. The only difference is that it has the abbreviation mightn't, but it is used very rarely in speech.

He might gotothegymHe could go to the gym.
Might theysayaboutit? Could they have said so?
We might not go to the shopWenotcouldgovscore.

We have already noted that the modal verb might in modern English can function as an independent unit of speech. Let's take a closer look at this grammatical moment.

What is the modal verb may used for, and why might?

This question is asked by most beginners, because it is difficult to catch on the move all the differences in shades of meaning and grammatical norms. The situation is further complicated by the fact that in many situations the modal verbs of the forms may and might are used on an equal footing, i.e. practically replaceable. To simplify understanding, we will divide all use cases into separate categories.

Interchangeability of may and might

The main purpose of these verbs is to convey probability. Both forms are used, but constructions with may express a greater degree of certainty that events will occur. Probability is expressed by various infinitives.

Thetree May fall ifastrongwindblows This tree may fall if a strong wind blows.(fact of the present)
She might not have been attheparty She probably wasn't at the party.(speculation about the past)
We may be watching the movie at this timeWeCanwatchfilmvittime.(intention for the future)

Both words convey a request, but more and more often the English use can in this sense. Expressions with the verb may are more formal, remote in nature, and the modal might denotes an extremely respectful appeal to the interlocutor.

Might Iofferyoucoffeeortea, madam? “May I offer you coffee or tea, madam?”
Mr. Brown, May wemakethereporttomorrow? – Mr. Brown, can we do this report tomorrow?

Both forms are also acceptable for use in combination with as well, but might is more commonly used. The full construction has the meaning of hopelessness or indifference, denoted by the Russian expressions " can also…», « what else besides…».

I've lost my keys. I might as well waitforreturnofmyparents - I lost my keys. What can I do but wait for my parents to return.
When do you want to do it? We don't know. We might as well . – When do you want to do it? We don't know. We can now.

And the last stable expression in which each of these words is used: may (might) not ... but - This might not have happened if it hadn't been...(ifwouldnot)…..

This woman may (might) not have become a famous actress, but she was verypersevering– Thisfemalecouldandnotbecomefamousactress,notbesheverypersistent.

Exclusively may

Only may is always used to express permission or prohibition of an action. Accordingly, when allowed, a simple form is used, and when prohibited, a negative one.

You May leaveworkearlytodayYou can leave work early today.
They May not takepartinthiscontestThey are not allowed to participate in this competition.

It should be noted that such phrases sound very formal and are used mainly in business communication, or in conversation with unfamiliar people. Much more often, the modal verb must not is used as a prohibition.

With the help of may, you can express confidence in the performance of an action if you add the adverb well to the verb. The result is a combination of the plan " for sure», « most likely», « probably».

You may well find this book at the “Palace of books”shop –You,for surefindthisbookvstore "Castlebooks."

Very often, the verb may in English is used to express wishes to someone. At the same time, the syntactic structure of the sentence changes, because may moves to the beginning of the phrase.

May youralbumbringyourbandtheworldfame! – May your album bring your band worldwide fame!

Exceptionally might

This form allows you to give the interlocutor a polite and cautious recommendation, suggestion, advice. At the same time, one of the words want, prefer, like is adjacent to the modal verb.

You might want tostayinaluxuryapartmentYou will probably want to stay in luxury apartments.

The second situation requiring the use of might is the expression of impossible events, or rather actions that can happen, but certain circumstances prevent this.

He might gotothecinematoday, buthehasnomoneyHe could go to the cinema in the evening, but he has no money.

And one more case when the modal verb might in English can be used, somewhat similar to the previous one. The combination might + have + participle II - means criticism of the development of events, regret for not taking action.

He might have bought thisdressforme! He could buy this dress for me!

The last point that needs to be noted: when transmitting indirect speech and to agree on tenses, the verb may is always replaced by might.

They said, “You May call us at any time" might call them at any time.

They said, "You can call us anytime." They said that we can call them at any time.

The modal verb MAY means to be able in the sense of having permission. I can, I'm allowed. This verb has only two tenses, present may and past might.

Example:

May I carry something? Can I carry something?
May I open the window? May I open the window?

01. The modal verb May in combination only with a non-perfect general infinitive is used to express permission to perform an action (in interrogative and affirmative proposals).

Example:

May I carry something?
Can I carry something?

May I go now?
Now can we go?

You may enter now.
Now you can login.

May is interchangeable with CAN in the meaning of permission, although in modern English Can is more commonly used. In colloquial speech, permission can be expressed in another way: instead of May, “to do” is used.

Example:

May I open the window? – Please do
May I open the window? - You are welcome.

To express permission in the future, use to be allowing to, to be permitted.

Example:

I think they will be allowed to go with us.
I think they will be allowed to come with us.

He will not be permitted to play out of doors so late.
He shouldn't be allowed to play outside this late.

02. In combination with any form of the infinitive, the modal verb May can mean an assumption, uncertainty. In this meaning, May is used in affirmative and negative sentences.

Example:

It may rain today.
It might rain today.

Of course a miracle may happen and you may be a great painter, but…the chances are a million to one against it.
Of course, a miracle can happen, and you will become a great artist, but one chance in a million.

You might not be speaking the truth.
Maybe you're not telling (now) the truth.

Mrs Martin says you might be very busy.
Mrs. Martin says you might be very busy.

She may come or she may not.
Maybe she will come, maybe she won't.

He may not have returned to Moscow.
He may not have returned to Moscow yet.

He may have missed the train.
Maybe he missed the train.

Mrs Chevely may have changed since then.
Perhaps Mrs. Chivily has changed since then.

He may (might) have been waiting for you for a long time.
Perhaps (maybe) she has been waiting for you for a long time.

His name is Starfield. You may have heard of him.
His name is Starfield. You may have already heard of him.

You may have been joking, but he for sure wasn't.
You may have been joking, but of course he wasn't.

The non-perfect infinitive indicates that the action is in the present or future, while the perfect infinitive refers to the past.
V interrogative sentences to convey the meaning of the assumption is used:
Do you think…?

Do you think he missed the train?
Maybe he missed the train?

Note:

It is worth paying attention to the fact that the modal verb May in this meaning does not express the time of action. The time of action shows the infinitive. May is a form of the indicative mood, it expresses a lesser degree of doubt about the possibility of performing an action. Might - a form of the subjunctive mood, expresses a great degree of doubt.

The modal verb form Might is used in the following cases:

01. In indirect speech, according to the rule of tense coordination (although Could is more often used) /
In indirect speech, after the words of the author, standing in the past tense, only the form Might is used, regardless of the shade of the meaning conveyed by the modal verb.
If the action expressed by the infinitive was past in relation to the words of the author, the perfect infinitive is used.
If the action was simultaneous or future in relation to the words of the author, a simple infinitive is used.

Example:

He said that he might go to the Zoo on Sunday.
He said that he could go to the Zoo on Sunday.

They said that she might have missed her train.
They said she might have missed the train.

At the hospital they told me that I might wait.
The hospital told me that I could wait.

02. An offer to take an action.
Here, the modal verb in the form of Might is usually used in the affirmative sentence. The verb is followed by a simple infinitive.

Example:

We might visit Ann on Sunday.
We could visit Anya on Sunday.

We might go to the country tomorrow.
We could go out of town tomorrow. (Shouldn't we go tomorrow?)

It's early yet. We might walk part of the way.
It is too early. We could walk part of the way.

We are going there too.. We might meet.
We are also going there. We could meet.

03. The modal verb Might is used in affirmative sentences to express reproach for what is not done, not done.

Example:

You might offer to help.
You could offer your help.

You might have opened the door for me.
You could open the door for me.

You might have told us about it half and hour.
You could have told us about it half an hour ago.

You might think about someone else.
You could think of others as well.

He might at least have had the decency not to read.
He could at least have the decency not to read it.