whats the difference between I may and I might ?

I may go or I might go... they seem to say the same thing, but is when is one more proper than the other?

Archie2011-05-03T16:11:25Z

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I remember the difference by thinking that I should use might when the outcome is uncertain or unlikely and may when something is more likely to happen.

However, there are two exceptions to this rule:

1. Might is the past tense of may. So you have to use might when you are referring to the past. For example, even if it's likely that Jane went to a party last night, you shouldn't say, "Jane may have gone to the party"; you should say, "Jane might have gone to the party."

2. The second exception is a gray area. When you're talking about something not happening, it can be better to use might because people could think you're talking about permission if you use may. This is clearer with an example. If you aren't sure whether you'll go to the party, and you say, "We may not go to the party," it can be misinterpreted to mean you don't have permission to go to the party, particularly in writing, where voice inflections don't help guide the meaning. But if you say, "We might not go to the party," then your meaning is clear. It's the safer bet.

All in all, remember to use may when the outcome is likely and might when the outcome is less likely or uncertain. But also remember that you use might for everything in the past tense.
Also, it's OK to use might when you're writing about negative outcomes, even if they're likely outcomes, if using may would make people think you were talking about having permission.

Hope this help,

Gretchen S2011-05-04T00:34:43Z

To express possibility, there is no difference in meaning between "may" and "might." "I may go" and "I might go" mean exactly the same thing.

To express possibility in the past, there is no difference in meaning. "He may have done this" means exactly the same thing as "He might have done this."

The only difference is that only "may" expresses permission in the present: You may have dessert after you eat your dinner. "Might" is not used to express permission.

warrior2011-05-04T03:07:34Z

I might answer this question, if I may get the best answer.

bohogirl12011-05-03T22:41:15Z

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/maymight/menu.php