English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 30: May and might 2

We use may and might to talk about possible actions or happenings in the future:
  • I haven't decided yet where to go on holiday. I may go to Ireland. (= perhaps I will go there)
  • Take an umbrella with you. It might rain later. (= perhaps it will rain)
  • The bus isn't always on time. We might have to wait a few minutes. (= perhaps we will have to wait)

The negative forms are may not and might not (mightn't):
  • Amy may not go out tonight. She isn't feeling well. (= perhaps she will not go out)
  • There might not be enough time to discuss everything at the meeting. (= perhaps there will not be enough time)

Compare will and may/might:
  • I'll be late this evening. (for sure)
  • I may/might be late this evening. (possible)

Usually you can use may or might. So you can say:
  • I may go to Ireland. or I might go to Ireland.
  • Jane might be able to help you. or Jane may be able to help you.

But we use only might (not may) when the situation is not real:
  • If they paid me better, I might work harder. (not I may work)

The situation here is not real because they do not pay me well, so I'm not going to work harder.

There is a continuous form: may/might be -ing. Compare this with will be -ing:
  • Don't phone at 8.30. I'll be watching the football on television.
  • Don't phone at 8.30. I might be watching (or I may be watching) the football on TV. (= perhaps I'll be watching it)

We also use may/might be -ing for possible plans. Compare:
  • I'm going to Ireland in July. (for sure)
  • I might be going (or I may be going) to Ireland soon. (possible)

But you can also say 'I might go / I may go ...' with little difference in meaning.

Might as well

Helen and Clare have just missed the bus. The buses run every hour.

Helen: What shall we do? Shall we walk?
Clare: We might as well. it's a nice day and I don't want to wait here for an hour.

We might as well do something = We should do it because there is no better alternative. There is no reason not to do it.

May as well is also possible.


  • A: What time are you going out?
    B: Well, I'm ready, so I might as well go now.
  • Buses are so expensive these days, you might as well get a taxi. (= taxis are as good, no more expensive)

30.1 Write sentences with might.

  1. Where are you going for your holidays? (to Ireland???)
    I haven't decided yet. .
  2. What sort of car are you going to buy? (a Honda???)
    I'm not sure yet. I __________ .
  3. When is Tom coming to see us? (on Saturday???)
    He hasn't said yet. __________ .
  4. Where are you going to hang that picture? (in the dining room???)
    I haven't made up my mind yet. __________ .
  5. What is Tanya going to do when she leaves school? (go to university???)
    She's still thinking about it. __________ .

30.2 Complete the sentences using might + the following:

  • bite
  • break
  • need
  • rain
  • slip
  • wake
  1. Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It later.
  2. Don't make too much noise. You __________ the baby.
  3. Be careful of that dog. It __________ you.
  4. Don't throw that letter away. We __________ it later.
  5. Be careful. The footpath is very icy. You __________ .
  6. Don't let the children play in this room. They __________ something.

30.3 Complete the sentences. Use might be able to or might have to + one of the following:

  • fix
  • help
  • leave
  • meet
  • sell
  • work
  1. Tell me about your problem. I you.
  2. I'm not free this evening, but I __________ you tomorrow.
  3. I don't know if I'll be free on Sunday. I __________ .
  4. I can come to the meeting, but I __________ before the end.
  5. I'm short of money. I want to keep my car, but I __________ it.
  6. A: There's something wrong with my bike.
    B: Let me have a look. I __________ it.

30.4 Write sentences with might not.

  1. I'm not sure that Liz will come to the party.
    .
  2. I'm not sure that I'll go out this evening.
    I __________ .
  3. I'm not sure that we'll be able to get tickets for the game.
    We __________ .
  4. I'm not sure that Sam will be able to go out with us tonight.
    __________ .

30.5 Read the situations and make sentences with might as well.

  1. You and a friend have just missed the bus. The buses run every hour.
    You say: We'll have to wait an hour for the next bus. .
  2. You've been invited to a party. You're not very excited about it, but you decide to go.
    You say: I'm not doing anything else, so I __________ to the party.
  3. You've just painted your kitchen. You still have a lot of paint, so why not paint the bathroom too?
    You say: We __________ . There's plenty of paint left.
  4. You and a friend are at home. You're bored. There's a film on TV starting in a few minutes.
    You say: __________ . There's nothing else to do.

Answer Key
Favorite Books
English Grammar Tests

PART A: 14 Elementary tests, 14 Pre-Intermediate tests, 8 Intermediate tests. Each test is specified on different grammar topics. PART B: 14 tests including Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate and Upper intermediate level grammar tests. Every test is focused on a different grammar topic. (2452 questions) PART C: 16 Multi-level grammar tests. Each test is specified on a different grammar topic. (1418 questions) PART D: 20 perfect multi-level grammar tests for assessment. (2000 questions) PART E: 6 Elementary, 5 Intermediate, 3 Advanced grammar tests. The formats of the tests are similar and the level gradually increases. (1400 questions)

Read more
Table of Contents