might

/maɪt/

possibility or permission

It might rain later, so bring an umbrella.

This suggests a possibility of rain in the future.

general

Used to express possibility or uncertainty about a future event.

She might come to the party if she finishes her work early.

This indicates that her attendance is uncertain.

Often used in questions and conditional statements.

formal

Used to politely ask for permission or make a request.

Might I borrow your pen for a moment?

A polite way to ask for permission to use someone's pen.

More formal than 'may' and often used in polite requests.

literary

Used to express a hypothetical or unreal situation.

If I might have your attention, I'd like to make an announcement.

A formal way to request someone's attention.

Common in formal or literary contexts.

Collocations

might as wellused to suggest doing something because it is the best optionmight notused to express the possibility that something will not happen

used to suggest doing something because it is the best option

'Might' is more formal than 'may' and is often used in polite requests or to express uncertainty.

'Might' is used for possibility, while 'may' is used for permission. However, in some contexts, they can be interchangeable.

From Middle English 'mighten', from Old English 'miht', meaning 'power' or 'strength'.

Often used in questions and conditional statements to express uncertainty or possibility. More formal than 'may' in some contexts.

might

possibility or permission

root

English Dictionary