Skip to main content

Might

Might: forms​

Affirmative (+) form​

Might comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb):

  • She might sell her house.
  • This might be true.
  • Not: That might can be true. or That can might be true.

Negative (−) form​

The negative form of might is might not or mightn’t. We don’t use don’t/doesn’t/didn’t with might:

  • There might not be anyone in the house. (or There mightn’t be …)
  • Not: There doesn’t might be anyone in the house.
See also
  • Modal verbs

Question (?) form​

The subject and might change position to form questions.

warning

We don’t use do/does/did:

  • Might this be the key?
  • Not: Does this might be the key?
  • Mightn’t this be the key?
  • Not: Doesn’t might this be the key?

We can use might and mightn’t in question tags, but they’re not very common:

  • That might not be a bad idea, might it?
  • That plant might do better by the window, mightn’t it?

Might: uses​

Possibility​

We use might most often to refer to weak possibility:

  • I might go to Japan for a month to study Japanese.
  • The dog might bark when we pass by the gate.
  • They might not like very hot food.

Permission​

We use might to refer to permission. It is very formal and is not used very often:

  • Might I ask your name?
  • Might I interrupt you for a moment?
warning

The reply to these will not contain might:

  • A: Might I ask your address?

  • B: Yes. It’s 41 Ross Avenue.

  • A: Might I ask you a question?

  • B: Yes. Of course.

  • Not: Yes. You might.

Suggestions​

We can use might to give advice or make a suggestion sound more polite or less direct, especially when used together with like, prefer or want:

  • [A waiter politely suggesting a dessert to a customer.]
  • You might like to try one of our wonderful desserts.
See also
  • Declarative clauses
  • Suggestions

Criticism​

We often use might have + -ed form to express disapproval or criticism:

  • You might have told me you weren’t coming home for dinner. (you didn’t tell me)
  • You might have tidied your room.

Might: reporting may​

We use might as the past form of may in indirect reports:

  • ‘That may not be true’, she said.
  • She said that it might not be true.
See also
  • Reported speech

Might: typical error​

We don’t use might for ability; we use can or could:

  • Although you can visit these places, if you are tired, you’re welcome to stay in the hotel.

  • Not: Although you might visit these places …

  • I could hear the noise of an engine.

  • Not: I might hear the noise of an engine.

See also
  • Can
  • Could