The modal verb "Might" en 9:36

When do we use “might”?

*"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility.

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*It is also often used in conditional sentences.

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*English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests (although this is less common in American English).

*Examples:

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*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

Let’s review!

Modal use: might (possibility)

Affirmative

*1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having problems. PRESENT

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*2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work. PAST

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*3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride. FUTURE

Negative

*1. She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home. PRESENT

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*2. She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home. PAST

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*3. She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill. FUTURE

Modal use: might (conditional)


Affirmative

*1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win. PRESENT

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*2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won. PAST

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*3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it. FUTURE

Negative

*1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not win. PRESENT

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*2. Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won. PAST

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*3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win. FUTURE

Modal use: might (suggestion)


Affirmative

*1. NO PRESENT FORM

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*2. You might have tried the cheese cake. PAST

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*3. You might try the cheesecake. FUTURE

Negative

*1. NO PRESENT FORM

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*2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON

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*3. You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific. FUTURE

Modal use: might (request)


Interrogative

*Might I have something to drink?

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*Might I borrow the stapler?

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*Requests usually refer to the near future.

*1. NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMON

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.

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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.)