English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 29: May and might 1

Study this example situation:

You are looking for Ben. Nobody is sure where he is, but you get some suggestions.

He may be in his office. (= perhaps he is in his office)
He might be having lunch. (= perhaps he is having lunch)
Ask Ann. She might know. (= perhaps she knows)


We use may or might to say that something is possible. Usually you can use may or might so you can say:
  • It may be true. or It might be true. (= perhaps it is true)
  • She might know. or She may know.

The negative forms are may not and might not (or mightn't):
  • It may not be true. (= perhaps it isn't true)
  • She might not work here any more. (= perhaps she doesn't work here)

Study the structure:
I/you/he (etc.)may
might		(not)be (true / in his office etc.)
be (doing / working / having etc.)
know / work / want etc.

For the past we use may have (done) or might have (done):
  • A: I wonder why Kate didn't answer her phone.
    B: She may have been asleep. (= perhaps she was asleep)
  • A: I can't find my phone anywhere.
    B: You might have left it at work. (= perhaps you left it at work)
  • A: Why wasn't Amy at the meeting yesterday?
    B: She might not have known about it. (= perhaps she didn't know)
  • A: I wonder why David was in such a bad mood yesterday.
    B: He may not have been feeling well. (= perhaps he wasn't feeling well)

Study the structure:
I/you/he (etc.)may
might		(not) havebeen (asleep / at home etc.)
been (doing / working / feeling etc.)
known / had / wanted / left etc.

Could is similar to may and might:
  • It's a strange story, but it could be true. (= it is possible that it's true)
  • You could have left your phone at work. (= it's possible that you left it there)

But couldn't (negative) is different from may not and might not. Compare:
  • Sarah couldn't have got my message. Otherwise she would have replied. (= it is not possible that she got my message)
  • I wonder why Sarah hasn't replied to my message. I suppose she might not have got it. (= it's possible that she didn't get it - so perhaps she did, perhaps she didn't)

29.1 Write these sentences in a different way using might. In sentences 9-11 use might not.

  1. Perhaps Helen is in her office.
    .
  2. Perhaps Helen is busy.
    __________ .
  3. Perhaps she is working.
    __________ .
  4. Perhaps she wants to be alone.
    __________ .
  5. Perhaps she was ill yesterday.
    __________ .
  6. Perhaps she went home early.
    __________ .
  7. Perhaps she had to go home early.
    __________ .
  8. Perhaps she was working yesterday.
    __________ .
  9. Perhaps she doesn't want to see me.
    __________ .
  10. Perhaps she isn't working today.
    __________ .
  11. Perhaps she wasn't feeling well yesterday.
    __________ .

29.2 Complete each sentence with a verb in the correct form.

  1. ‘where's Ben?’ ‘I'm not sure. He might lunch.’
  2. ‘who is that man with Anna?’ ‘I'm not sure. It might __________ her brother.’
  3. A: Who was the man we saw with Anna yesterday?
    B: I'm not sure. It may __________ her brother.
  4. A: What are those people doing by the side of the road?
    B: I don't know. I suppose they might __________ for a bus.
  5. ‘Is Sarah here?’ ‘I can't see her. She may not __________ yet.’

29.3 Read the situation and make sentences from the words in brackets. Use might.

  1. I can't find Jeff anywhere. I wonder where he is.
    a) (he / go / shopping) (1) .
    b) (he / play / tennis) (2) .
  2. I'm looking for Sophie. Do you know where she is?
    a) (she / watch / TV) (3) __________ .
    b) (she / go / out) (4) __________ .
  3. I can't find my umbrella. Have you seen it?
    a) (it / be / in the car) (5) __________ .
    b) (you / leave / in the restaurant) (6) __________ .
  4. Why didn't Dan answer the doorbell? I'm sure he was at home at the time.
    a) (he / go / to bed early) (7) __________ .
    b) (he / not / hear / the doorbell) (8) __________ .
    c) (he / be / in the shower) (9) __________ .

29.4 Complete the sentences using might not have ... or couldn't have ....

  1. A: Do you think Sarah got the message I sent her?
    B: No, she would have replied. .
  2. A: I was surprised Amy wasn't at the meeting. Perhaps she didn't know about it.
    B: That's possible. .
  3. A: I wonder why they haven't replied to the email I sent. Do you think they received it?
    B: Maybe not. They __________ .
  4. A: I wonder how the fire started. Was it an accident?
    B: No, the police say it __________ .
  5. A: Mike says he needs to see you. He tried to find you yesterday.
    B: Well, he __________ very hard. I was in my office all day.
  6. A: The man you spoke to - are you sure he was American?
    B: No, I'm not sure. He __________ .

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