In popular usage and speech, may and might are used interchangeably when referring to possibility and probability, but there is a slight difference between the two. By and large alex and i think these developments are likely to give tangible gains and could well become a priority for implementation. You use it like an auxiliary in the interrogative and negative forms. Awe use may or might to say that something is a possibility. Difference between may and might categorized under grammar,language difference between may and might. Can, could, may, might complete the sentences with the correct form of can, could, may, or might. It may be true or it might be true perhaps it is true 4. It could make you more likely to have a dvt deep vein. Modal verbs worksheets, printable exercises pdf, handouts. A corpusbased study of may and might in the interlanguage of norwegian and japanese learners of english. Commonly confused english words may, might, and maybe. Could can still be used with past tense meaning, but usually isnt. May and might are both commonly used to talk about possibility. You could say might is for things that are mighty farfetched.
It seems to me that you can use these three modals almost interchangeably when expressing possibility. Can, could, may and might exercise example gapfill questions. Notes from the newsroom on grammar, usage and style. You might feel your expectations were not met, or your birth plans may have changed due to medical concerns. It is possible that there will be a strike next week. To me, might is much more natural in informal conversation and may sounds more formal. I would say that the difference between may and might is not in the level of probability but in the register. This sheet may be photocopied and used within the class. During our conversation we can look back your birth story to fill in the gaps. May expresses likelihood while might expresses a stronger sense of doubt or a contrarytofact hypothetical. Below is an introduction to the most important uses of may and might. English speakers use might to make suggestions or requests, although this is more common in british english and could be seen as extremely formal.
Present modal verbs of deduction exercise cattaneodallaglio. Keep reading to download this free english lesson with exercises. When youre ready, you can call us on 020 8970 5757 to book an appointment. The second distinction, which is the more important of the two, between these.
Auxiliary verbs cancould and maymightmust can used to express ability to be able to do something. Well, im not sure what exactly happened but it might must be true. English esl may might could worksheets most downloaded. What is the difference between can, could, may and. Might past form of may used to suggest a smaller possibility than may does actually, might is more common than may in american english. A modal auxiliary verb is used to modify the mood of a verb. I wasnt sure whether its incorrect, or correct but just not idiomatic outside the southern u. You could try the drugstore, but it might well be closed by now. Modal verbs of probability exercise pdf autoenglish. The everyday grammar team is on the job, explaining how to use these modals to express how certain, or sure, you are of. May or might can be used to say that something is possible or probable now or in the. Can could exercises may might must have to shall should will would mixed modals exercises had better home. A collection of english esl worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and english classes to teach about may, might, could, may might.
May might must worksheet may might handout can could may might. Consider saving time marking papers by having one or two students come to. Written by bob wilson robert clifford mcnair wilson 2007 can, could, may and might exercise use one of the modal verbs in brackets to fill each gap. Difference between may and might difference between. Present modal verbs of deduction and probability exercise. In this example may is used to express the possibility of me becoming a doctor in the. The negative forms are may not and might not or mightntexample. I am trying to formulate guidelines for learners of english as a foreign language with regards the use of maymight could to express possibility. Modal verbs can, could, may, might, should, must, would, will and shall are different from other verbs. An online esl lesson about the words maybe, may, and might, with simple example sentences to illustrate how to use these words correctly when making requests. Activity suggestion use this quiz either as a preactivity diagnostic tool, or as a postactivity evaluative assessment. An easy way to expressremember this difference is that might suggests a lower probability than does may.
Although one or the other is more likely to be used in some contexts, neither choice will be wrong. May and might is another pair of very confusing english words whose usages often overlap. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. Both can be used in place of each other in most circumstances, except at times when the sentence sounds wrong, for example. Part of a series of free grammar and vocabulary lessons for adult english language students and young learners. Note that can and may are used in the present tense. Use one of the modal verbs in brackets to fill each gap. Learn how to use the future with will and may and might in english. Can originally meant to know how might is the preterite form of may, and both can be used as present tense modals. Distinguishing may and might can be tricky, and several colleagues have raised questions recently about the proper usage.
May, might and could anna grammar worksheet may, might and could intermediate an intermediate grammar worksheet from anna grammar may or might are modal auxiliary verbs. Learn how to make predictions, speak about possibilities, andor to speak about future actions with will, may, and might. When i first heard him say this, it made me do a doubletake. May and might a modal auxiliary verb is used to modify the mood of a verb. Can, could, may, might, should, must, shall, will, would. May is used to express what is possible, factual, or could be factual. A more descriptive term and recent trend is epistemic stance. Ive never heard or read modal combinations with must except for the archaic must needs. Editor emily brewster responds the entries for each of these include the complete definitions, as well as many example sentences, so i will discuss here only the aspects of each that i. By epistemic it is meant how much knowledge of what is being said.
Vocabulary might is used mostly to express possibility. Could, may and might english grammar today cambridge. Anna grammar worksheet may, might and could intermediate. You might feel that a part of your care was unexpected, unplanned, or confusing. This is an interactive online exercise about modal verbs of probability such as can, can, could, may and might.
Type use modal verbs example 1 to express possibilities for the future could, may, might it may rain tomorrow. Maymightcould originally posted by gulesin thank you very much theparser,it became clearer on my mind,what is the difference of could from may and might. The difference in degree between you may be right and you might be right is slight but not insignificant. The general term for might and could is modal auxiliary verbs. Could is the preterite form of can, and both can be used as modals. Complete the following sentences using can, may, might or could. If something is very farfetched, you probably want to use might. None of my friends from the south had ever said may could.
Present modal verbs of deduction and probability exercise check through the different uses. Below are some words that might be used or indicate use of will, may andor might. The work of palmer 1990 and collins 2002 done on modal auxiliaries have proved to be invaluable, providing a great. They are auxiliary verbs that provide additional and specific. May, might and must are modal verbs that cause confusion for some learners. Maythurner syndrome, also known as iliac vein compression syndrome or cocketts syndrome, affects two blood vessels that go to your legs. In grammar books they are same,but in the questions they are different,thank you so much for your kindness. Nobody wanted to buy the house but finally they could managed to sell it.
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