1 might
Pronounced:
/ˈmaɪt/
Function:
verbMeaning:
[modal verb] 1 —used to say that something is possible ▪ We might [=may] go if they ask us, but then again we might not. ▪ It might [=could] be true. ▪ Might it not be true? ▪ The test might include some questions about geography. ▪ There might be some difficulties ahead. ▪ She might get hundreds of responses to her survey. ▪ What you see might (well/very well) surprise you. ▪ I thought you might like this. ▪ She might have been the greatest actress of her generation. [=it's possible that she was the greatest actress of her generation] ▪ They might still succeed. ▪ I think he might be trying to cheat us. ▪ “Have they failed?” “They might have.” = (Brit) “They might have done.” ▪ If we hurry, we might get there before it rains. ▪ The movie might be better than you expect. ▪ Some people might have given up at that point, but not her. ▪ She's not as upset with them as might be expected. ▪ As you might or might not have heard, we've won! ▪ He might win and so might she.
2 —used to say that one thing is true but something else is also true ▪ He might [=may] be slow, but he does very good work. = Slow though he might be, he (still) does very good work. [=although he's slow, he does very good work] ▪ It might be cold outside, but it's still a nice day. ▪ She might have been a great actress, but she was a terrible parent.
3 —used to talk about a possible condition that does not or did not actually exist ▪ If you were older, you might understand. ▪ If she had been given a chance, she might have been a great actress.
4 formal —used as the past tense of may ▪ He asked if he might [=could] leave. [=he asked, “May I leave?”] ▪ He gave his life so that others might [=could] live.
5 a —used in speech to ask a question or make a request in a polite way ▪ Might [=may] I ask who is calling? [=who is calling?] ▪ “Do you think I might possibly borrow your pen?” “Of course you may!” b —used to make a polite suggestion ▪ You might [=may] want to consider leaving early. ▪ It might be wise to proceed cautiously. c —used to politely say something about someone or something ▪ Might I just say how pleased I am to be here. ▪ This has been, if I might say so, one of the happiest days of my life. ▪ He is her husband and, I might add, one of her biggest fans.
6 —used to say that you are annoyed by something that was or was not done ▪ You might [=could] at least apologize! ▪ If you weren't coming, you might (at least) have told me in advance!
7 —used to indicate what is or was expected ▪ You might [=would] think that he would be more grateful after all I've done for him. ▪ I might [=should] have known you wouldn't keep your promise!
8 —used in speech when asking a question about someone or something that surprises or annoys you ▪ “I have a request to make.” “And what might that be?” [=what is your request?] ▪ And who might you be? [=who are you?]
2 —used to say that one thing is true but something else is also true ▪ He might [=may] be slow, but he does very good work. = Slow though he might be, he (still) does very good work. [=although he's slow, he does very good work] ▪ It might be cold outside, but it's still a nice day. ▪ She might have been a great actress, but she was a terrible parent.
3 —used to talk about a possible condition that does not or did not actually exist ▪ If you were older, you might understand. ▪ If she had been given a chance, she might have been a great actress.
4 formal —used as the past tense of may ▪ He asked if he might [=could] leave. [=he asked, “May I leave?”] ▪ He gave his life so that others might [=could] live.
5 a —used in speech to ask a question or make a request in a polite way ▪ Might [=may] I ask who is calling? [=who is calling?] ▪ “Do you think I might possibly borrow your pen?” “Of course you may!” b —used to make a polite suggestion ▪ You might [=may] want to consider leaving early. ▪ It might be wise to proceed cautiously. c —used to politely say something about someone or something ▪ Might I just say how pleased I am to be here. ▪ This has been, if I might say so, one of the happiest days of my life. ▪ He is her husband and, I might add, one of her biggest fans.
6 —used to say that you are annoyed by something that was or was not done ▪ You might [=could] at least apologize! ▪ If you weren't coming, you might (at least) have told me in advance!
7 —used to indicate what is or was expected ▪ You might [=would] think that he would be more grateful after all I've done for him. ▪ I might [=should] have known you wouldn't keep your promise!
8 —used in speech when asking a question about someone or something that surprises or annoys you ▪ “I have a request to make.” “And what might that be?” [=what is your request?] ▪ And who might you be? [=who are you?]