Grammar question: When do you use "might" and when do you use "may"?

[Nocturnal]

>?

 

[GasX]

I might tell you. Then again, I may not...

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I might tell you. Then again, I may not...

:beer:

 

[Kadarin]

May is a month. Now, when we're talking about my thrust muscle, we're talking some serious might...

 

[TerryMathews]

I may tell you all the ins and outs of grammar, but you might not be able to follow my vastly superior prose.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
May is a month. Now, when we're talking about my thrust muscle, we're talking some serious might...

Non-trolling, serious replies only please. Thank you.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
May is a month. Now, when we're talking about my thrust muscle, we're talking some serious might...

Non-trolling, serious replies only please. Thank you.

You're no fun. :|

 

[Daishiki]

i would assume may involves permission and might involves probability, although it seems like people like to use may with probability, too.

edit:
google says

 

[shimsham]

i use may if i dont intend to do, might if there is a chance.

 

[Cyberian]

Kenneth G. Wilson (1923?). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.

may, might (auxs.)


For events in the present or immediate future, use either may or might (I may [might] decide to go after all), but for past time, most Standard users still prefer only might, as in Yesterday I might have decided to stay home, not the increasingly encountered Yesterday I may have decided to stay home. Journalese is now peppered with may where until recently might has been solidly entrenched. See also CAN (1); COULD; SEQUENCE OF TENSES.


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