might

Might is may’s softer, less certain twin. Use it for tentative possibility and polite suggestions.

Forms

Basemight
Negativemight not
Contractedmightn't (rare)
Past form(historical: might)
Past negativemight not have
Past contractedmightn't have
Question patternMight I …?

Meanings & usage

  • Weak possibility: “It might snow tonight.” ~30–40% likelihood
  • Polite suggestion: “You might try the east gate.” Soft recommendation
  • Hypothetical: “If she left now, she might catch it.” Conditional outcome
  • Concession: “He might be tired, but he keeps going.” Acknowledging
  • Past possibility: “She might have forgotten.” Speculation about the past

Tense patterns

How this modal combines with a base verb across time references. The modal itself doesn’t conjugate; the time meaning comes from what you attach.

Reference Affirmative Negative Question
Possibility I might work I might not work Might I work?
Perfect (past possibility) I might have worked I might not have worked Might I have worked?
Continuous I might be working I might not be working Might I be working?
Perfect continuous I might have been working I might not have been working Might I have been working?

Common mistakes

Don't use might for strong probability — that's must ("He must be tired") or will ("He will be tired"). Might always signals uncertainty.

Related modals