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Unit 30 · Modals

may and might 2

Study

A

We use may and might to talk about possible actions or happenings in the future:

›

I haven’t decided where to go on holiday. I may go to Ireland. (= perhaps I will go there)

›

Take an umbrella with you. It might rain later. (= perhaps it will rain)

›

The bus isn’t always on time. We might have to wait a few minutes. (= perhaps we will have to wait)

The negative forms are may not and might not (mightn’t):

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Amy may not go out tonight. She isn’t feeling well. (= perhaps she will not go out)

›

There might not be enough time to discuss everything at the meeting. (= perhaps there will not be enough time)

Compare:

›

I’m going to buy a car. (for sure)

›

I may buy a car. or I might buy a car. (possible)

B

Usually you can use may or might. So you can say:

›

I may go to Ireland. or I might go to Ireland.

›

Jane might be able to help you. or Jane may be able to help you.

But we use might (not may) when the situation is not real:

›

If they paid me better, I might work harder. (not I may work)

This situation (If they paid me better) is not real. They do not pay me well, so I’m not going to work harder.

C

Compare may/might be -ing and will be -ing:

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Don’t phone at 8.30. I’ll be watching the football on TV.

›

Don’t phone at 8.30. I might be watching the football on TV. (= perhaps I’ll be watching it)

We also use may/might be -ing for possible plans. Compare:

›

I’m going to Ireland soon. (for sure)

›

I might be going (or I may be going) to Ireland soon. (possible)

D

might as well

Helen and Clare have just missed the bus. The buses run every hour.

What shall we do? Shall we walk?

We might as well. It’s a nice day and I don’t want to wait here for an hour.

We might as well do something = we should do it because there is no better alternative. There is no reason not to do it.

You can also use may as well.

›

a: What time are you going out? b: Well, I’m ready, so I might as well go now. or … I may as well go now.

›

Buses are so expensive these days, you might as well get a taxi. (= taxis are as good, no more expensive than buses)

will be -ing ➜ Unit 24 · may/might 1 ➜ Unit 29 · may I … ? ➜ Unit 37 · might with if ➜ Units 38C, 40D

Exercises (5)

0/5 exercises checked
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30.1

Which alternative makes sense?

  1. 1
    a: Where are you going for your holidays? b: I haven’t decided yet.
    to Ireland. (I might go makes sense)example
  2. 2
    a: Have you decided what sort of car you want to buy?
    b: Yes, a sports car.
  3. 3
    a: When is Tom coming to see us?
    b: He hasn’t said yet. on Sunday.
  4. 4
    a: Where are you going to put that picture?
    b: I don’t know yet. it in the bedroom.
  5. 5
    a: What’s Tanya going to do when she leaves school? Does she know yet?
    b: Yes, she’s decided. to university.
  6. 6
    a: Do you have plans for the weekend?
    b: Nothing fixed. .
30.2

Complete the sentences using might + a verb from the box:

hearneedrainslipspillwake
  1. 1
    Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It later.example
  2. 2
    Don’t make too much noise. You the baby.
  3. 3
    Be careful with your coffee. You it.
  4. 4
    Don’t forget your phone. You it.
  5. 5
    It’s better if we don’t talk so loud. Somebody us.
  6. 6
    Be careful. This footpath is icy. You .
30.3

Complete the sentences. Use might be able to or might have to + one of these verbs:

fixhelpleavemeetpaywait
  1. 1
    Tell me about your problem. I you.example
  2. 2
    I can come to the meeting, but I before the end.
  3. 3
    I’m not free this evening, but I you tomorrow evening.
  4. 4
    I’m not sure whether this car park is free or not. We .
  5. 5
    There’s a long queue. We a long time.
  6. 6
    ‘I’ve got a problem with my bike.’ ‘Let me have a look. I it.’
30.4

Write sentences with might not.

  1. 1
    Lisa’s not feeling very well. I’m not sure that she will go to the party.
    Lisa to the party.example
  2. 2
    I haven’t seen him for a long time. I don’t know if I will recognise him or not.
    I him.
  3. 3
    We want to go to the game, but I don’t know whether we’ll be able to get tickets.
    We for the game.
  4. 4
    I said I’d do the shopping, but it’s possible I won’t have time.
    I to do the shopping.
  5. 5
    I’ve been invited to the wedding, but I’m not sure that I’ll be able to go.
    I .
30.5

Read the situations and write sentences with might as well.

  1. 1
    You and a friend have just missed the bus. The buses run every hour. You say: We’ll have to wait an hour for the next bus.
    We .example
  2. 2
    Your computer doesn’t work any more. It will cost a lot to repair. You say: It’s not worth repairing.
    I a new one.
  3. 3
    You’ve painted the kitchen. You still have a lot of paint, so why not paint the bathroom too? You say: I {} too. There’s plenty of paint left.
  4. 4
    You and a friend are at home. You’re bored. There’s a film on TV starting in a few minutes. You say: We {} it. There’s nothing else to do.