MAY

v/s

MIGHT

Expresing possibility

By; Miss Paulina Olea Vergara 2010

Imagine there is a really good party this weekend!!

You really want to gobut no one has invited you yet.

Suddenly the telephone rings!!! :D Someone is calling to invite you to the party!!!

What are you doing this weekend baby?

Its John asking you

Well, Johnny I might go to the party this weekend, and pigs might fly too!

The telephone rings again

What are you doing this weekend baby?

Its Brad Pitt asking you

I may go to the party this weekend Are you going too?

I may goif you go too.

The use of the modal verbs may and might is a way to talk about possible activities or happenings in the future:
I'm not sure I'll go to the party. I may be away. Don't call me by at 7.20. I might be watching TV. Prepare something to eat. Mr. Johnson might be hungry. We may not be able to go to school this week.

Remember! We use MAY to suggest something is possible.

(Strong probability)

It may rain later todaylook at the clouds!

I have a lot of workI may not have time to do it today.

Im not feeling well I may not be able to go to school tomorrow.

Keep in mind! We use MIGHT to suggest a small possibility of something.

(Weak probability)

I will call my mother. She might be at home.

My father might lend me his car this weekend

Exercises
Fill in the gaps in the sentences with may or might. = weak probability = strong probability
If its sunny tomorrow we _______ go to the beach.

Im not sure yet, but I ________ study engineering or computer science.

The economic situation is not very good and unemployment ______ increase.

I tried calling him but he doesnt answer. He _______ be out or taking a shower.

Dont worry! Its not too late. Your friend _______ still come to the party

Exercises
Make predictions using MAY or MIGHT and the clues given. Write the sentences in your notebook. a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) Class / organise / picnic or a party. You / study / gastronomy. Your friend / go to South Africa. Petrol prices / increase. You / see the film toy story 3 on Sunday. Your mother/ lend you / her car It / rain / tomorrow. You / finish / your homework for tomorrow

Write sentences with MAY or MIGHT when corresponding. 1) (It is less possible that I will go to the cinema) _________________________________________________ 2) (It is possible that I will see you tomorrow.) _________________________________________________ 3) (It is possible that Anna will forget to phone) _________________________________________________ 4) ( It is less possible that it will snow today) _________________________________________________ 5) (It is less possible that I will be late tonight) _________________________________________________ 6) (It is possible that I will play wii this weekend) _________________________________________________

Exercises

Exercises
Somebody is asking you about your plans. You have some ideas but you are not sure. Choose from the box and write sentences with MIGHT or MAY Fish go away Italy Monday new car taxi

1. Where are you going for your holidays? 2. What are you doing at the weekend? 3. When will you see Mary again? 4. What are you going to have for dinner? 5. How are you going to get home tonight? 6. I hear you won some money. What are you going to do with it?

I __________________________

I __________________________ I __________________________ I __________________________ I __________________________

I _________________________

Exercises
Create sentences using MAY or MIGHT according to your reality.

a) You will play tennis tomorrow. b) You will come to school in the afternoon. c) You will see your boyfriend/ girlfriend this weekend. d) You will buy a new car next month. e) You will listen to your favorite song tonight. f) You will travel to Disneyland. g) You will have lunch at school later. h) You will study maths after the English class. i) You will practice sports tomorrow morning at school. j) You will be late for school tomorrow morning