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  3. Commonly Confused Words
  4. May vs. Might
Commonly Confused Words

May vs. Might

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May and might are very close. In most sentences, you can use either one. There are only a few cases where you must choose.

Possibility: both are fine

To say that something is possible now or in the future, use may or might. Some people feel that might is a little less sure, but the difference is small.

  • You may be right. / You might be right.
  • She may arrive later today.
  • He might come to the party, but he’s not sure.

Permission: may

To give or ask for permission in a polite or formal way, use may.

  • May I leave early today?
  • You may use your notes during the exam.

Something that did not happen: might

To imagine a different past (with if + had), use might have.

  • ❌ If it hadn’t rained, we may have gone to the beach.
  • ✅ If it hadn’t rained, we might have gone to the beach. (It rained, so we didn’t go.)

💡 Tip

Possible → may or might
Permission → may
Did not happen (if... had...) → might have

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

Passengers ___ bring one small bag on board.

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