Education

1. Lunch & Learn
“May” or “Might?”

2.  We may eat out tonight.
 If you buy that ticket, you might win a
million dollars!
What’s the difference in the following
two sentences?

3. So, what’s the difference?
Many native speakers will say there is no
difference, and that these words can be
used interchangeably; However …

4. … there is a difference!
 “May” is used for situations that have a
good chance of happening.
 “Might” is used for situations that are
imaginary or not likely to happen

5. Note:
 “Might” is also used for conditional
sentences that are dependant on
another, previous action.
If I have time, I might help you.
Point: The speaker will help, but only if he has time.

7. Let’s consider an example using
“may”
 I think I may have to work overtime
tonight.
- We can use may because this is a very
realistic situation.

8. Here are some more “may” examples:
 I may have time to help you later.
 Bob and Sue may get married this year.
 The children may get new bicycles this
summer.

9. Now, let’s consider an example using
“might”
 If I get that job, I might buy a new house.
- We use “might” because this is an
imaginary or hypothetical situation. He/ she
does not yet have the job.

10. Here are some more “might” examples:
 If our team gets that new player, we
might win the championship!
 If you don’t work harder, you might lose
your job!
 If you eat more protein, you might gain
weight.

11. “may” or “might” ?
1. I _______ buy a dog for my
children this weekend.

12. “may” or “might” ?
1. I may buy a dog for my
children this weekend.

13. “may” or “might” ?
2. They ______ move to
Australia if they get jobs there.

14. “may” or “might” ?
2. They might move to
Australia, if they get jobs there.

15. “may” or “might” ?
3. The new teachers ______
visit us later.

16. “may” or “might” ?
3. The new teachers may visit
us later.

17. “may” or “might” ?
4. I know it’s a beautiful sunny
day, and that the forecast says
it will remain sunny all day, but
it still _________ rain!

18. “may” or “might” ?
4. I know it’s a beautiful sunny
day, and that the forecast says
it will remain sunny all day, but
it still might rain!

19. “may” or “might” ?
5. If you look long enough, you
______ find the ring you lost
last year!

20. “may” or “might” ?
5. If you look long enough, you
might find the ring you lost last
year!

21. “may” or “might” ?
6. My grandparents _______
come to see us next week.

22. “may” or “might” ?
6. My grandparents may come
to see us next week.

23. “may” or “might” ?
7. I heard my neighbours
saying they ________ move to
Dauphin next summer.

24. “may” or “might” ?
7. I heard my neighbours
saying they may move to
Dauphin next summer.

25. “may” or “might” ?
8. I studied so hard for the
exam. I ________ get an “A”!

26. “may” or “might” ?
8. I studied so hard for the
exam. I may get an “A”!

27. “may” or “might” ?
9. That company ______ go
bankrupt if they don’t increase
their sales.

28. “may” or “might” ?
9. That company might go
bankrupt if they don’t increase
their sales.

29. “may” or “might” ?
10. Do you think it _______
snow later? The forecast says it
will.

30. “may” or “might” ?
10. Do you think it may snow
later? The forecast says it will.

31. “may” or “might” ?
11. We only have 10 minutes to
get home, and we live on the
other side of the city. We
______ be late for supper
again!

32. “may” or “might” ?
11. We only have 10 minutes to
get home, and we live on the
other side of the city. We may
be late for supper again!

33. “may” or “might” ?
12. I heard Jonny coughing last
night. He ______ not want to go
to school this morning.

34. “may” or “might” ?
12. I heard Jonny coughing last
night. He may not want to go to
school this morning.

35. “may” or “might” ?
13. If they clean the yard, they
_______ find all the toys they
lost last year.

36. “may” or “might” ?
13. If they clean the yard, they
might find all the toys they lost
last year.

37. “may” or “might” ?
14. Our new MP _______ get
re-elected next year if she visits
a lot of constituents this
summer.

38. “may” or “might” ?
14. Our new MP might get re-
elected next year if she visits a
lot of constituents this summer.

39. “may” or “might” ?
15. Be careful with that, or you
_______ spill all your juice!

40. “may” or “might” ?
15. Be careful with that, or you
might spill all your juice!

41. Thank you for attending!
See you next time!
Image shared under CC0 Image shared under CC0