Might

"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used

in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make
suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.

Examples:

 Your purse might be in the living room. POSSIBILITY

 If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. CONDITIONAL
 You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. SUGGESTION
 Might I borrow your pen? REQUEST

Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the
chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms You can

1. = Present 2. = Past 1. = Present 2. = also
3. = Future Past 3. = Future use:

might 1. She might be on the 1. She might not be could,

POSSIBILITY bus. I think her car is on the bus. She might may
having problems. be walking home.

2. She might have taken 2. She might not have

the bus. I'm not sure how
she got to work.
3. She might take the bus
to get home. I don't think
Bill will be able to give her
a ride.
taken the bus. She
might have walked
home.
3. She might not take
the bus. She might get
a ride from Bill.

might 1. If I entered the contest, 1. Even if I entered the

CONDITIONAL I might actually win.
OF MAY
2. If I had entered the
contest, I might actually
have won.
3. If I entered the contest
tomorrow, I might actually
win. Unfortunately, I can't
enter it.
contest, I might not
win.
2. Even if I had
entered the contest, I
might not have won.
3. Even if I entered the
contest tomorrow, I
might not win.
might 1. NO PRESENT FORM 1. NO PRESENT could
SUGGESTION FORM
2. You might have tried
the cheese cake. 2. PAST FORM
UNCOMMON
3. You might try the
cheesecake. 3. You might not want
to eat the cheese
cake. It's very calorific.

might Might I have something to NEGATIVE FORMS could,

REQUEST drink? UNCOMMON may,
can
(British Might I borrow the
form) stapler?

REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO

THE NEAR FUTURE.

REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not"

"Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not"
suggests that it is impossible for something to happen.

Examples:

 Jack might not have the key. MAYBE HE DOES NOT HAVE THE KEY.
 Jack could not have the key. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT HE HAS THE KEY.