Modal Verb - Might
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs used to express ideas such as (necessity, ability, possibility, advice, obligation, probability, requests, permission, etc.), in English they are combined with verbs in their infinitive forms. Modal verbs have their own question and negation forms, they do not depend on the auxiliary verb -do for this purpose. Modal verbs in English include (-can, -could, -will, -would, -should, -must, -may, and -might), the modal verbs -ought to and -shall are antiquated and are not regularly used in modern English.
The modal verb -might is used to:
1) To express the possibility of an action happening in the future.
2) To make tentative suggestions (non-definitive suggestions).
3) To ask for permission (polite).
Formation - Affirmative Statements
The modal verb -might is only used in the present tense, it is used most often in affirmative statements to express the possibility of an action happening in the future. Modal verbs are never conjugated depending on the subject, they remain the same for all subjects which makes them simple to use, modal verbs are always combined with a main verb in the infinitive form.
Structure used to form affirmative statements in the simple present with the modal verb -might.
Subject + might + main verb in the infinitive form
Structure used to form affirmative questions in the simple present with the modal verb -might.
Might + Subject + main verb in the infinitive form?
Examples
Ex: I might meet up with friends tonight.
Ex: Might I take a short break?
Ex: It might rain tonight, I will stay home.
Ex: Might we go to a pizzeria instead?
Formation - Negative Statements
The modal verb -might is used in the present tense, it is used most often in negative statements to express the possibility of an action not happening in the future. Modal verbs are never conjugated depending on the subject, they remain the same for all subjects which makes them simple to use, modal verbs are always combined with a main verb in the infinitive form. Negative statements and questions in the present tense with the verb -be and modal verbs are not formed with the verb -do, they have their own negative question and statement forms. Negative questions and statements with contractions with -might are almost never used. Negative questions are meant to express surprise, confirm information, or encourage agreement.
Structure used to form negative statements in the simple present with the modal verb -might.
Subject + might not + main verb in the infinitive form
Structure used to form negative questions in the simple present with the modal verb -might.
Might + Subject + not + main verb in the infinitive form?
.
Examples
Ex: George might not spend Thanksgiving with us.
Ex: Might you not try talking to him one on one?
Ex: It might not work, but let's give it a shot.
Ex: Might I not borrow your pen for a minute?
Might uses
To express the possibility of an action happening in the future
Examples
Ex: I might take a trip this summer with my family, it depends on my job.
Ex: We might not watch the latest movie, it got bad reviews.
Ex: Might it snow tonight?
Ex: Might you not take longer than anticipated?
Ex: The company might close for good this year.
Ex: Might the Yankees win the world series this year?
Ex: Laura might not accept the job offer.
Ex: Might our clients not want to make the changes you are proposing?
To make tentative suggestions (non-definitive suggestions)
Note: Conditional statements can be used in this context.
Examples
Ex: You might try changing some habits to see if it helps.
Ex: We might have more success if we spend more time analyzing data.
Ex: Might I suggest you think outside the box?
Ex: Might you not be better off doing something else with your life?
Ex: We might as well accept their offer.
Ex: Might I recommend you check the email again.
Ex: We might not want to push them too hard.
Ex: You might want to take another look.
To ask for permission (polite)
Note: Questions are used in this context, affirmative questions are more typical than negative ones. Asking for permission with -might is used more in British English than American English, Americans typically use -could or -may instead.
Examples
Ex: Might I use your phone?
Ex: Might I not borrow your umbrella?
Ex: Might I use the bathroom?
Ex: Might I ask you something personal?
Might - Using -might at the end of statement to confirm information
The modal verb might can be added to the end of a statement made with -might to confirm information, note that affirmative statements use negative questions with -might and negative statements use affirmative questions with -might.
Examples
Ex: We might have to hurry up, might we not?
Ex: You might not take a trip to Europe this year, might you?
Ex: It might not be too late to sign up, might it?
Ex: Things might still change, might they not?
Note: Negative contractions in statements and questions are not typical with the modal verb might in modern English, they are antiquated.
