Classroom Pronunciation Reductions Grammar Conversation Reading Listening Vocabulary Activities Videos
Idioms Slang Acronyms Phonics Portmanteau Words Handwriting Alphabet Surveys Tests
Holidays Movies Everyday Environment Learning News Places Flashcards Study Literacy
World America History Drive Education Teaching Dictionary Resources About Contact
 
May, Might, and Must
 
May, Might, and Must

The lesson includes a video program, an audio program explaining this grammar topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Video Program

Watch the video program explaining this grammar topic. Then listen to the audio program explaining this grammar topic.
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this grammar topic. Then read the following written information.
May, Might, and Must
For VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar.

This week's Everyday Grammar looks at how to use the modals may, must and might.

Modal verbs (called modals for short) are auxiliary verbs that express a speaker’s attitude and the strength of that attitude. There are about 17 modals in English. They have multiple meanings and sometimes overlap in ways that are confusing to English learners.

Today we will look at how we use these modals to express how certain, or sure, you are of something.

Degrees of certainty in the present and past

Grammar expert Betty Azar explains that these modals tell us how sure speakers are about what they are saying.

A person who is 100 percent sure uses the verb be, as in, "I am sick."

If they are mostly sure, say 95 percent, they will use the modal must, as in, "I must be sick."

When speakers are about 50 percent sure, they will use the modals may, might, or could; as in "I may be sick. I might be sick. I could be sick."

Might as the past tense of may

Might is used as the past form of may. For example:

    "I may take more pictures." (This is a direct quote)
    She said she might take more pictures. (This is reported speech)

Notice how may changed to might. Modals change to a past form in reported speech.

Yesterday we had a staff meeting. I looked around the room and noticed my co-worker Anna was not there. I asked, "Where's Anna?" and got three answers from my co-workers.

    Jonathan answered, "Oh, she may be making a video in the studio."

    Kelly said, "She might have stayed home today."

    Adam told us, "She called me to say she was doing an interview at the Capitol
    this morning. So she must still be working over there."

In this conversation, you can see a change from may to might. May shows the speaker is not sure in the present moment: "She may be making a video." May changes to might to express a possible state in the past: "She might have stayed home." Finally, must expresses a strong certainty: "She must be working there."

People today do not always follow these rules about present and past tense for may and might. You will hear both words to express the same degree of certainty. English speakers still express strong certainty in phrases like, "It must be love."

Listen for the word might in this song by The Cars.

    You might think it's foolish
    Or maybe it's untrue
    You might think I'm crazy
    But all I want is you

By using might, the singer is expressing about 50 percent certainty.

Degrees of uncertainty in the future

Now let's look at how we express certainty about the future.

My friend Andy has a test next week. He has studied very hard for months. I told him, "You will do well on the test. Don't worry." I believe with 100 percent certainty that Andy will pass the test.

On the other hand, Carrie, who has to take the same test, just began studying last week. I warned her, "You might not do well on the test. You should study more this weekend." I am not so sure that Carrie will pass. In fact, I doubt it. I express that future possibility with might.

May is sometimes used to express hope

The idea of possible future events lets English speakers use may to talk about hopes. You will see may on greeting cards and in prayers or religious writings.

A quick look at Google Ngrams shows that few people are using may in this way. Now, it is much more common to hear "I hope that."

The group Celtic Woman sings of their wishes in "May it Be:"

May it be an evening star,
Shines down upon you.
May it be when darkness falls,
Your heart will be true.

Traditional poems and prayers also use may to express positive sentiments. This is part of an old Irish blessing:

    May the road rise up to meet you.
    May the wind always be at your back.
    May the sun shine warm upon your face.

With that in mind, the Everyday Grammar team says, "May you find our articles useful."

I’m Jill Robbins.

And I'm Adam Brock.

Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this story for Learning English. Adam Brock was the editor.
Words in This Story
  • certain - adj. not having any doubt about something; convinced or sure
  • positive - adj. thinking that a good result will happen: hopeful or optimistic
  • modal verb - a verb (such as can, could, shall, should, ought to, will, or would) that is usually used with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity, and permission
  • auxiliary verb - a verb (such as have, be, may, do, shall, will, can, or must) that is used with another verb to show the verb's tense, to form a question, etc.
Additional Information
Now it’s your turn. Write a sentence using may, might, or must in the Facebook Comments section below.
Source: Voice of America
 
 
 
 
Grammar Tips
Can You Catch These Native Speaker Mistakes?
(Beginner - Listening)

An audio lesson to help with your understanding of common mistakes. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this audio program.
Commonly Confused Words: Part One
(Beginner - Listening, reading)

A video lesson to help with your understanding of commonly confused words.
The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Click here to visit the lesson page.
Commonly Confused Words: Part One
(Beginner - Listening)

An audio lesson to help with your understanding of commonly confused words. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this audio program.
Commonly Confused Words: Part Two
(Beginner - Listening, reading)

A video lesson to help with your understanding of commonly confused words.
The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Click here to visit the lesson page.
Commonly Confused Words: Part Two
(Beginner - Listening)

An audio lesson to help with your understanding of commonly confused words. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this audio program.
 
Search Fun Easy English
 
 
 
 
About    Contact    Copyright    Resources    Site Map