외국어/Grammar in Use
Unit 30. May and might (2)
야곰야곰+책벌레
2021. 8. 31. 08:07
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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 )
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