Use of May and Might

 Use of May and Might

1. To Express Possibility

Use	May	Might
Higher possibility	It may rain later. (≈ 60–70% sure)	It might rain later. (≈ 40–50% sure)
Lower possibility or uncertainty	–	She might come to the party. (not sure)

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2. To Ask for Permission (More formal with “may”)

May	Might
May I use your phone? (formal/polite)	“Might I” is rare and sounds very formal or old-fashioned.
You may leave now.	–

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3. To Make a Suggestion / Offer

(“May” is more commonly used)

• You may want to take a break.
• You might like this book. (less direct)

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4. In Past Possibility (Might is preferred)

• He might have missed the bus.
• She might have forgotten to call.

("May have" is also possible but less common in spoken English.)

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May vs. Might Summary

Function	May	Might
Possibility	More likely	Less likely
Permission	Polite, formal	Rare/very formal
Past possibility	Less common	More common
Suggestions	More confident	Tentative

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Examples in Nepali (for understanding)

1.      It may rain today.
→ आज पानी पर्न सक्छ। (Higher possibility)

2.      It might rain today.
→ आज पानी पर्न सक्छ जस्तो लाग्दैन। (Less sure)

3.      May I come in?
→ के म भित्र आउन सक्छु?

4.      He might have forgotten.
→ उनले बिर्सेका हुन सक्छन्।