Might

Might

Might = We use ‘Might’ to express possibility, request, permission, suggestion, offer, invitation, and past possibility. When we use formal and polite expressions in the present and past, we use ‘Might.’ We do not use “May” in past, we use “Might” in place of May.

Modals = Modal Verbs are all about the expressions but not the action.

Might – We use Might in Present, Past, and Future.

Past = Formal and Polite – past request, past permission, past suggestion, past instruction, past offer, and past invitation. Past Possibility.
Present = Formal and Polite – request, permission, suggestion, instruction, offer, and invitation.
Future = Least Possibility.

Might Rules =

Might + Verb 1st form = He, She, It, I, You, We, They, Noun, and Nouns…

Might Format =

Affirmative = Subject + might + verb 1st form + other words.
Negative = Subject + might + not + verb 1st form + other words.

might + not = mightn’t.

Simple Interro = Might + subject + verb 1st form + other words?
Simple Interro Negative = Might + subject + not + verb 1st form + other words?
Interrogative = Wh-family + might + subject + verb 1st form + other words?
Interrogative Negative = Wh-family + might + subject + not + verb 1st form + other words?

Might Definition =

1. Past = We use ‘Might’ to express past possibility and past formal and polite requests, permission, suggestion, instruction, offer, and invitation. When we require to use ‘May’ in the past, we use ‘Might’ in place of May.

How do you identify “Might” as Past? =

Whenever you make sentences about the Past, you know that you express a Past scenario. So, it is easy to know when you make any sentences.
When someone makes sentences about ‘Might as Past,’ you can get it by understanding the situation in which they use the sentence. If they talk about any past scenario, you will understand it because they use all sentences in past and past words like yesterday, 3 days ago, etc.

Past Possibility – When we made a sentence to express a possibility in past time and we remind that same sentence now in the present that we made in past, we use Might.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – He may get the job next year. (Possibility)

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – He might get the job next year. (Past Possibility)

We made a possibility in past about our future. When we remind the possibility we make in the past, we use ‘Might.’

e.g. –

I said that he might fail in that examination. (past possibility)
It was a late night. We mightn’t get a taxi but we got it. (past possibility)
He was too sick. Might he get well sooner? (ask for the past possibility)
I never won any match. Might I win someday? (ask for the past possibility)
He studied English so, he might become a teacher in the future. (past possibility)

Polite and Formal Past Request – We use “Might” for formal and polite requests in past. We mostly ask for requests. We do not give or take requests. It means we mostly make question sentences when we request. When we have already requested in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Might.

May – To express a request in the Present and Future.
Might – To express a request in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – I ask him. May we come with you? (formal and polite request)

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already asked him. Might we come with you? (formal and polite past request)

We express a request in the past. When we remind the request we make in the past, we use ‘Might.’

e.g. – Most of the time, the question is in simple interrogative form.

He was cooking. Might I cook with him? (ask for formal and polite past request)
Children did not have books. Might he buy books for children? (ask for formal and polite past requests)
Her car was not working. Might I check it? (ask for formal and polite request)

Reported Speech Direct= I said to him, “May I join the team?”
Indirect = I requested him if I might join that team. (In the past “May” converted into “Might.” It was a formal and polite request)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to her, “May I borrow your book?”
Indirect = He requested her if he might borrow her book. (In the past “May” converted into “Might.” It was a formal and polite request.)

Reported Speech Direct = We said to him, “May they also become our friends?”
Indirect = We requested him if they might also become our friends. (In the past “May” converted into “Might.” It was a formal and polite request.)

Formal and Polite Past Permission – We use “Might” when we asked, gave, or took formal and polite permissions in past. When we ask permission, it can also become a request but it depends on the way we express ourselves. When we have already asked, given, or taken permission in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Might.

May – To express permission in the Present and Future.
Might – To express permission in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – I ask him. May I use your mobile? (formal and polite permission)

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already asked him. Might I use your mobile? (formal and polite permission in past)

We express permission in the past. When we remind the permission we make in the past, we use ‘Might.’

e.g. –

Reported Speech Direct = I said to her, “May I come with you?”
Indirect = I asked/requested her if I might come with her. (asked or took permission or request in past)

Reported Speech Direct = She said to me, “May he drive the car?”
Indirect = She asked me if he might drive that car. (asked or took for permission in past)

Reported Speech Direct = She said to him, “May I sit on your seat?”
Indirect = She asked/requested him if she might sit on his seat. (asked or took for permission or request in past)

Formal and Polite Past Suggestion – We use “Might” when we asked, gave, or took formal and polite suggestions in past. When we have already asked, given, or taken suggestions in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Might.

May – To express suggestions in the Present and Future.
Might – To express suggestions in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – I ask him. May I tell you how to use a phone? (formal and polite suggestion)

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already asked him. Might I tell you how to use a phone? (a formal and polite suggestion in past)

We express suggestions in the past. When we remind the suggestions we make in the past, we use ‘Might.’

e.g. –

He was not able to drive the car but I might know and I might teach him. (gave the suggestion)
She had no dress for function. You might buy a new dress for her. (gave suggestion)

Reported Speech Direct = She was confused. She said to them, “Where may I go for vacation?”
Indirect = She was confused. She asked them where she might go for vacation. (asked or took for suggestion in past)
Answer = They suggested that she might go to Shimla. (gave suggestion)

Reported Speech Direct = I said to him, “How may she pass this examination?”
Indirect = I asked him how she might pass that examination. (asked or took for suggestion in past)
Answer = He suggested to me that she might study from then and he might teach her. (gave suggestion)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to me, “What may I do to gain muscles?”
Indirect = He asked me what he might do to gain muscles. (asked or took for suggestion in past)
Answer = I suggested to him that he might consume those foods and do exercise. (gave suggestion)

Formal and Polite Past Instruction – We use “Might” when we asked, gave, or took formal and polite instruction in the past. When we have already asked, given, or taken instruction in the past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Might.

May – To express instruction in the Present and Future.
Might – To express instruction in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – I explain him. He may press this button and then push the leverage. (formal and polite instruction)

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already explained to him about this machine. He might press that button and then push the leverage. (formal and polite instruction in past)

We express instruction in the past. When we remind the instruction we make in the past, we use ‘Might.’

e.g –

I was lost. Where might I go from here? (asked or took for instruction in past)
You might take right then left after that you might ask about the landmark. I would come to pick you from there. (gave instruction)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to them, “How may she cook this food?”
Indirect = He asked them how she might cook that food. (asked or took for instruction in past)
Answer = They instructed him that she might bake it under 150 degrees for 45 minutes then add those spices. (gave instruction)

Reported Speech Direct = I said to him, “How may I learn English fluently?”
Indirect = I asked him how I might learn English fluently. (asked or took for instruction in past)
Answer = He instructed me that I might start to understand English people’s culture. That was the best way to learn English. (gave instruction)

Reported Speech Direct = We said to them, ” We are stuck what may we do now?”
Indirect = We asked them that we were stuck what we might do then. (asked or took for instruction in past)
Answer = They instructed us that we might communicate via radio and follow that lead. (gave instruction)

Formal and Polite Past Offer – We use “Might” for formal and polite offers in past. Mostly we give and take offers. We do not ask for offers. It means we mostly do not make question sentences when we offer. When we have already given or taken offers in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Might.

May – To express offer in the Present and Future.
Might – To express offer in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – May I teach you how to use a phone? (formal and polite offer)

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already asked him. Might I teach you how to use a phone? (formal and polite offer in past)

- We express offers in the past. When we remind the offer we make in the past, we use ‘Might.’

e.g. –

He did not have a drink so, I might give a drink to him. (formal and polite offer in past)
He was late for the office so, he might use my car. (formal and polite offer in past)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to me, “You may work with us.”
Indirect = He offered me that I might work with them. (formal and polite offer in past)

Reported Speech Direct = She said to him, “I may marry you.”
Indirect = She offered him that she might marry him. (formal and polite offer in past)

Reported Speech Direct = We said to them, “They may live with us.”
Indirect = We offered them that they might live with us. (formal and polite offer in past)

Formal and Polite Past Invitation – We use “Might” for a formal and polite invitation in past. When we have already given or taken an invitation in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Might.

May – To express invitation in the Present and Future.
Might – To express invitation in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – You may come to my wedding. (formal and polite invitation)

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – He said to me that I might come to his wedding. (formal and polite invitation in past)

- We express invitations in the past. When we remind the invitation we make in the past, we use ‘Might.’

e.g. –

Reported Speech Direct = He said to me, “You may come to my party.”
Indirect = He invited me that I might come to his party. (party invitation in past)

Reported Speech Direct = We said to him, “He may join the meeting.”
Indirect = We invited him that he might join that meeting. (meeting invitation in past)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to her, “You may come to my wedding with your family.”
Indirect = He invited her that she might come to his wedding with her family. (wedding invitation in past)

2. Present = We use ‘Might’ to express formal and polite requests, permission, suggestion, instruction, offer, or invitations. It is similar to “May” but it is more formal and polite than “May.”

How do you identify “Might” as Present? =

Whenever you make sentences about the Present, you know that you express a Present scenario. So, it is easy to know when you make any sentences.
When someone makes sentences about ‘Might as Present,’ you can get it by understanding the situation in which they use the sentence. If they talk about any present scenario, you will understand it because they use all sentences in present.

Polite and Formal Request – We use “Might” for formal and polite requests. To make it effective, you need to express yourself in form of requesting. We mostly ask for requests. We do not give or take requests. It means we mostly make question sentences when we request.

e.g. – Most of the time, the question is in simple interrogative form.

Might we please be your friend? (ask for formal and polite request)
Might I buy clothes for children? (ask for formal and polite request)
Might I help you? (ask for formal and polite request)
Might she please support me? (ask for formal and polite request)
Might you tell me the time? (ask for formal and polite request)

Formal and Polite Permission – We use “Might” when we ask, give, or take formal and polite permission. When we ask permission, it can also become a request but it depends on the way we express ourselves.

e.g. –

Might I join you? (ask or take for permission or request)
Might he drive the car? (ask or take for permission or request)
Might he come with us? (ask or take for permission or request)
Might she live there? (ask or take for permission or request)
Might we hang out with you? (ask or take for permission or request)

* Note = We do not use “Might” as an answer to a question of permission. When we ask permission, we do not use “Might” in an answer to the same question. We use anything else.

e.g. –

Question = Might I come in?
Answer = Yes, you can/could/may. or Of course!

Question = Might he support her?
Answer = Yes, he could/can/may. or Why not! Of course, do it.

Formal and Polite Suggestion – We use “Might” when we ask, give, or take formal and polite suggestions.

e.g. –

What might I do for them? (ask or take for the suggestion)
You might buy a new phone for her. (give suggestion)
Where might I start? (ask or take for the suggestion)
You might start from the bottom. (give suggestion)
How might she control her anger? (ask or take for the suggestion)
She might do meditation and yoga. (give suggestion)

Formal and Polite Instruction – We use “Might” when we ask, give, or take formal and polite instruction.

e.g –

Where might I throw the trash? (ask or take for instruction)
You might go to room no. 14. There, you see a dust bin. (give instruction)
How might she learn cooking? (ask or take for instruction)
She might learn from cookery channels or from a professional chef. (give instruction)
How might I learn English fluently? (ask or take for instruction or suggestion)
For learning English fluently, you might understand English people’s culture. This is the best way to learn English. (give instruction)

Formal and Polite Offer – We use “Might” for formal and polite offers. Mostly we give and take offers. We do not ask for offers. It means we mostly do not make question sentences when we offer.

e.g. –

I might buy the tickets. (formal and polite offer)
She might drive my car this time because she always wants to drive it. (formal and polite offer)
You might work with us if you are ready. (formal and polite offer)
They might invest in your business. (formal and polite offer)
They might live in our apartment. (formal and polite offer)

Formal and Polite Invitation – We use “Might” for a formal and polite invitation.

e.g. –

They might come to my party. (party invitation)
She might join the meeting. (meeting invitation)
He might come to my wedding with his family. (wedding invitation)
Congratulation, you might work with us. (working invitation)
From now on, anyone might buy our company’s share. (Business invitation)

3. Future = We use “Might” for less future possibility.

How do you identify “Might” as Future? =

Whenever you make sentences about the Future, you know that you express a Future scenario. So, it is easy to know when you make any sentences.
When someone makes sentences about ‘Might as Future,’ you can get it by understanding the situation in which they use the sentence. If they talk about any future scenario, you will understand it because they use all sentences in future and future words like tomorrow, after 5 days, etc.

Future Possibility – We use “Might” when there is a small chance to do or happen in the future. We express the future possibility, we are not so sure about it.

e.g. –

It might fall rain next month. (less possibility)
Might I become a billionaire someday? (ask for less possibility)
How many days might it take to learn English? (ask for the less possibility)
He might win the race next year. (less possibility)
Might they marry each other after 4 years? (ask for less possibility)

Modals – Modals are all about the expressions that do not take place. When we use Modals, we only express, we do not do it. When we do, we use Tense.

Modals – can, could, may, might, should, would, will, shall, ought to, and must, etc.

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English Grammar Modals