Modal Verbs: might

Contents hide

1 Modal Verbs: might

1.1 Might with the Indefinite Infinitive:

1.2 Might with the Continuous tenses:

1.3 Might in Negative form:

1.4 Might with the Perfect Infinitive:

1.5 Might in Subordinate clauses:

1.6 Might in Conditional sentences:

1.7 Related posts:

Modal Verbs: might

Might with the Indefinite Infinitive:

Might with the indefinite infinitive is used to express possibility or uncertainty in the present or future.

Examples: I might go to the gym later.

(possibility)

He might need some help with his project.

(uncertainty)

Might can also be used to make polite requests, similar to may.

Example: Might I borrow your pen, please?

(polite request)

Might with the Continuous tenses:

Might can be used with continuous tenses to express possibility or uncertainty over a period of time.

Examples: She might be studying for her exam right now. (possibility over a period of time)

They might be having trouble finding the restaurant. (uncertainty over a period of time)

Might in Negative form:

In negative form, might not is used to indicate that something is not possible or likely.

Examples: We might not be able to finish the project on time.

(not possible)

He might not come to the party tonight.

(not likely)

Might with the Perfect Infinitive:

In the perfect infinitive form, might have is used to express possibility or uncertainty in the past.

Examples: She might have missed the train this morning. (possibility in the past)

They might have forgotten to bring the key with them. (uncertainty in the past)

Might in Subordinate clauses:

Might can be used with the indefinite infinitive in subordinate clauses to express purpose or intention.

Examples: She saved money so that she might travel to Europe next summer.

(purpose)

He is working hard so that he might get a promotion. (intention)

In all of these cases, might is used to indicate possibility, uncertainty, purpose or intention, depending on the context.

Might in Conditional sentences:

Might can be used in conditional sentences to express a hypothetical or uncertain outcome. Here are some examples:

First conditional with might:

In the first conditional, might is used in the if-clause to express a possibility or uncertainty, and the main clause expresses the consequence or result.

Example: If it rains tomorrow, we might stay at home. (possibility or uncertainty in the if-clause, consequence in the main clause)

Second conditional with might:

In the second conditional, might is used to express a hypothetical situation in the if-clause, and the main clause expresses the consequence or result.

Example: If I won the lottery, I might buy a new car. (hypothetical situation in the if-clause, consequence in the main clause)

Third conditional with might:

In the third conditional, might is used to express a hypothetical situation in the past and the consequence or result that could have happened.

Example: If we had left earlier, we might have caught the train.

(hypothetical situation in the past in the if-clause, consequence in the main clause)

In all of these examples, might is used to express a hypothetical or uncertain outcome in a conditional sentence.

click here Modal Verbs: might

click here Modal Verbs: may

click here Modal Verbs: could

click here Modal Verbs: can

click here Modal Verbs: ought to

click here Modal Verbs: need