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 spend my holidays. I may go to Ireland.
  ( = perhaps I will go to Ireland )
• Take an umbrella with you when you go out.
  ( = perhaps it will rain )

Usually it doesn't matter whether you use may or might

• 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 knew them better, I might invite thme to dinner.
  ( The situation here is not real because I don't know them very well, so I'm not going to invite them. 'May' is not possible in this example.)

There is alos a continuous form : may/might 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 television
  ( = perhaps I'll be watching it)

We also use may/might be -ing for possible plans.

• I'm going to Ireland in July. (for sure)
• I may be going (or I might be going) to Ireland in July. (possible)

But you can also say 'I may go (or I might go) to Ireland...' with little difference of meaning.

 

Might as well / may as well

'(We) might as well do something' = (We) should do something because there is nothing better to do and there is no reason not to do it. You can also say 'may as well'

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