Might & Could

Might and could are modal verbs often used in conditional sentences to express possibilities, uncertainties, or hypothetical situations.

 

Might:

Might is used to express a possibility or a less certain condition.

It suggests that there is a chance of the event happening but doesn’t imply certainty.

 

If + subject + might + base form of the verb

 

Example: If it rains, we might stay indoors.

 

 

 

Could:

Could is used to express a general possibility, ability, or permission.

It is less tentative than might and can also be used to express a hypothetical or unreal condition.

 

If + subject + could + base form of the verb

 

Examples: If you study harder, you could improve your grades.

                      If he had more time, he could help with the project.

 

 

 

Past Unreal Conditions:

Both might have and could have can be used in past unreal conditions to express unrealized possibilities or opportunities.

 

Example: If I had known, I might have attended the meeting.

 

 

 

Mixed Conditionals:

Might and could can be used in mixed conditionals to express combinations of past and present conditions and their hypothetical results.

 

Example: If you had called me earlier (past unreal), I might be there with you now (present result).

 

 

Might and could are versatile modal verbs used in conditional sentences to convey possibilities, uncertainties, and hypothetical situations.

The choice between them depends on the level of certainty or probability you want to convey in the given context.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Might and Could in Conditional Sentences

Types of Conditional Sentences

Direct (Quoted) and Indirect (Reported) Speech

Negative Declarative Sentences: Structure, Usage, and Style

Prepositions “With” and “By” to compare