The key difference between may might and could is their function. May is formal and used to express actions that are more likely to happen, while might is informal and used with less likely events. Could, on the other hand, can be used to refer to past actions and to express ability.
These three words are modal verbs and used along with other verbs. We can use them to express possibility, ability, and necessity. Sometimes may and might can be used interchangeably as well when referring to probability and possibility. The words may and could are polite and formal forms and are frequently used on formal occasions. Might is the past tense form of may, and it is used in informal situations.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What Does May Mean
3. What Does Might Mean
4. What Does Could Mean
5. May vs Might vs Could in Tabular Form
6. Summary – May vs Might vs Could
What Does May Mean?
This modal is used in formal situations in the present tense. In American English, may is used mostly in formal writing and not when speaking and on informal occasions. However, in British English, it is common to use may in both speaking and writing. This word is also used to express something that has more possibility to happen.
Using May in Sentences – Examples
May is used in sentences to convey different meanings:
- To say that something is true while another thing is also true.
Eg: This piece of jewelry may be more expensive than the other, but it looks beautiful.
- To express formality,
Eg: You may come whenever you like.
- To ask permission
Eg: May I drink some water?
- To give permission
Eg: You may go out.
- To make requests
Eg: May I have your document?
- To express possibility
Eg: It may rain today.
- To express uncertainty
Eg: He may come today.
What Does Might Mean?
Might is the past form of may. Might is used to express something that is less likely to happen or in a hypothetical situation and is also used to express possibility and to make requests. This is a polite form to use when speaking and writing.
Using Might in Sentences – Examples
- To express uncertainty
Eg: It might not rain tomorrow
- To express requests made in the past
Eg: They wanted to know if they might come early
- To ask for permission politely
Eg: Might I ask you a question?
What Does Could Mean?
Could is frequently used to express ability. It is a polite form of can.
Using Could in Sentences – Examples
- To show that something is possible yet not certain
Eg: He could come by car.
- To make general statements about the past
Eg: You could easily get promoted.
- To make guesses about the past
Eg: She could have come by now.
- To ask permission
Eg: Could we leave the class now?
- To make requests
Eg: Could I have my book, please?
- To make offers
Eg: I could give you some money.
- To make suggestions
Eg: We could meet on Sunday.
What is the Difference Between May Might and Could?
Although these three modal verbs look the same, there is a slight difference between may might and could. May is used to express something more likely to happen, while might, which is the past form of may, is used to express something less likely to happen. Could, meanwhile, describes ability and is considered as a polite form.
The following infographic summarizes the difference between may might and could in tabular form.
Summary –May vs Might vs Could
May is a present tense modal and is generally used in formal writing. We use it to give permission, make requests, and express possibility. We also use it to express situations that are more likely to happen. Might is the past tense form of may, and it is used to express things that are less likely to happen. It is also usually used in expressing uncertainty and sometimes in asking permission as well. Could is the polite form of can, and we use it to make suggestions, requests, and also to ask permission. Thus, this is the key difference between may might and could.
Image Courtesy:
1. “You may not be able to control every situation and its outcome, but you can control your attitude and how you deal with it.” By Live Life Happy (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via Flickr
2. “If I could ask a question and get a response, perhaps” By clemsonunivlibrary (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr
3. “Fix it because you might be the only one who can sticker” By Waffles51 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Reference:
1.“Modals of Possibility: May, Might, Could.” ESL Library Blog.