May and might ( 2 )

We use may and might to talk about possible actions and happenings in the future:

I haven’t decided yet where to spend my holidays. I may go to Ireland. ( = perhaps I will go to Ireland )

Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It might rain later. ( = perhaps it will rain )

The negative forms are may not and might not:

Ann may not come to the party tonight. She isn’t well. ( = perhaps she will not come )

There might not be a meeting on Friday because the director is ill. ( = perhaps there will not be a meeting )

Usually it doesn’t matter whether you use may or might. So you can say:

I may go to Ireland. or I might go to Ireland.

Jane might be able to help you. or Jane may be able to help you.

But we use only might ( not may ) when the situation is not real:

If I knew them better, I might invite them to dinner. ( The situation here is not real because I don’t know them very well, so I’m not going to invite them. ‘May’ is not possible in this example.)

There is also a continuous form : may / might be –ing. Compare this with will be –ing:

Don’t phone at 8.30. I will be watching the football on television.

Don’t phone at 8.30. I might be watching / I may be watching the football on television.( = perhaps I will be watching )

We also use may / might be – ing for possible plans. Compare:

I’m going to Ireland in July. ( for sure )

I may / might be going to Ireland in July. ( possible )