Unit 29 · Modals, imperative etc.

might

Study

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He might go to New York.

(= it is possible that he will go to New York)

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It might rain.

(= it is possible that it will rain)

might + infinitive (might go / might be / might rain etc.):

I / we / you / they	might
he / she / it	might (not)	be go play come etc.

I might = it is possible that I will:

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I might go to the cinema this evening, but I'm not sure. (= it is possible that I will go)

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A: When is Rebecca going to phone you? B: I don't know. She might phone this afternoon.

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Take an umbrella with you. It might rain.

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Buy a lottery ticket. You might be lucky. (= perhaps you will be lucky)

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A: Are you going out tonight? B: I might. (= I might go out)

Study the difference:

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I'm playing tennis tomorrow. (sure)

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I might play tennis tomorrow. (possible)

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Rebecca is going to phone later. (sure)

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Rebecca might phone later. (possible)

I might not = it is possible that I will not:

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I might not go to work tomorrow.

(= it is possible that I will not go)

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Sue might not come to the party.

(= it is possible that she will not come)

may

You can use may in the same way. I may = I might:

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I may go to the cinema this evening. (= I might go)

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Sue may not come to the party. (= Sue might not come)

May I ... ? = Is it OK to ... ? / Can I ... ?:

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May I ask a question? (= is it OK to ask / can I ask?)

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'May I sit here?' 'Yes, of course.'

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked

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29.1

Write sentences with might.

1
(it's possible that I'll go to the cinema)
I to the cinema.example
2
(it's possible that I'll see you tomorrow)
I you tomorrow.
3
(it's possible that Sarah will forget to phone)
Sarah to phone.
4
(it's possible that it will snow today)
It today.
5
(it's possible that I'll be late tonight)
I late tonight.
6
(it's possible that Mark will not be here next week)
Mark here next week.
7
(it's possible that I won't have time to go out)
I time to go out.

29.2

Somebody is asking you about your plans. You have some ideas, but you are not sure. Choose from the list and write sentences with I might.

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1
Where are you going for your holidays?
I'm not sure. I to Italy.example
2
What are you doing at the weekend?
I don't know. I .
3
When will you see Kate again?
I'm not sure. I on Monday.
4
What are you going to have for dinner?
I don't know. I fish.
5
How are you going to get home tonight?
I'm not sure. I a taxi.
6
I hear you won some money. What are you going to do with it?
I haven't decided yet. I a new car.

29.3

You ask Ben questions about his plans for tomorrow. Sometimes he is sure, but usually he is not sure. Now write about Ben. Use might where necessary.

1
Are you playing tennis tomorrow? Yes, in the afternoon.
He's playing tennis tomorrow afternoon.example
2
Are you going out tomorrow evening? Possibly.
He out tomorrow evening.example
3
Are you going to get up early? Perhaps.
He up early.
4
Are you working tomorrow? No, I'm not.
He working tomorrow.
5
Will you be at home tomorrow morning? Maybe.
He at home tomorrow morning.
6
Are you going to watch TV? I might.
He TV.
7
Are you going out in the afternoon? Yes, I am.
He's out in the afternoon.
8
Are you going shopping? Perhaps.
He shopping.

29.4