May / Might / May Not / Might Not

Learn possible, less possible, possibly not, and not allowed.

Screen 1 of 17 Score: 0 / 0
Topic

What do they mean?

Use may and might when something is possible but not certain. Use may not and might not when something is possibly not true or possibly will not happen. Use may not for rules too: not allowed.

It may rain.
It might rain.
It may not rain.
She might not come.
Big idea

Ask: maybe yes or maybe no?

MayIt may rain later.Maybe yes.
MightIt might rain later.Maybe yes, but less sure.
May not / might notIt may not rain. It might not rain.Maybe no.
May

Use may for possibility.

The bus may be late.It is possible.May + base verb.
Ali may join us.Maybe he will join.Not certain.
They may know the answer.Maybe they know it.Formal or careful.
Might

Use might for a smaller possibility.

I might visit Salalah.Maybe I will, but I am not sure.Weak possibility.
Lina might call tonight.Maybe she will call.Not a promise.
We might need help.Maybe help will be needed.Might + base verb.
May not

May not has two common meanings.

Possibly notIt may not rain today.Maybe it will not rain.
Not allowedYou may not enter this room.A rule or permission meaning.
ClueSigns, rules, teachers, parentsOften mean not allowed.
Form reminder

Use the base verb after may or might.

AffirmativeShe may come.
She might come.No -s after may/might.
NegativeShe may not come.
She might not come.Maybe she will not come.
QuestionMay I come in?
Might I ask a question?May is more common for permission.
Might not

Might not usually means maybe no.

She might not come.Maybe she will not come.Possibly not.
We might not finish.Maybe we will not finish.Less certain.
Not a ruleYou might not enter.This sounds like maybe you will not enter, not prohibition.
Compare

May is a little stronger or more formal than might.

It may happen.It is possible.A bit more confident or formal.
It might happen.It is possible, but less certain.More unsure.
May I...?Polite permission.Use may, not might, in most classroom questions.
Common mistake

Do not add -s, to, or will after may and might.

CorrectShe may come.
He might play.Base verb.
Not correctShe may comes.
He might to play.No -s. No to.
Not correctIt might will rain.Do not use will after might.
Sentence completion 1

Choose the correct form.

The sky is cloudy. It ___ later.

Sentence completion 2

Choose the correct form.

Sara is sick, but she is not sure yet. She ___ to school tomorrow.

Sentence completion 3

Choose the rule meaning.

The sign says students ___ enter this room.

MCQ 1

Which sentence is correct?

Choose the best sentence.

MCQ 2

Which sentence means possibly not?

Choose the best sentence.

Paragraph completion 1

Fill five blanks.

Choose the correct form. Think about maybe yes, maybe no, rules, and base verbs.

The sky is dark. It soon.
Omar is quiet today. He tired.
The sign says, "Staff only." Students .
The puzzle is hard. We it today.
The museum open today.
Test 1

Mixed question types of 5

Answer all five. Then tap Finish test to see your result sheet.

1. Sentence completion

The answer ___ correct, but I should check.

2. MCQ

Which sentence means maybe she will not join us?

3. Type the answer

The notice says visitors ___ feed the animals.

4. Type the answer

I am not sure, but we ___ go to the park.

5. MCQ

Which sentence can mean "You are not allowed to use this room"?

Cumulative result sheet

Great work!

Your learning comment will appear here.

Total score0 / 0
Percentage0%
Learning levelLearning
Part Result Comment