Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we’re saving the English language sixty seconds at a time! I’m Lauren Smyth, and I’ve got a pop quiz. What exactly does “I may go to the grocery store” mean? Does it mean that there’s a chance I’ll decide to go, or does it mean that I could go if I wanted to?
Well, plot twist: there’s no simple answer. “May” and “might” are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings. “May” connotes permission or a non-fact that could become factual, while “might” connotes a degree of probability that is usually lower than “may.” For example, you may skip English class. It’s unlikely that anyone will come after you with a pitchfork if you do. Except me. I might come after you. I may not come after you, however, because the law generally forbids chasing people with pitchforks.
Another fun fact: “Might” is the past tense of “may. You should not use “may have” instead of “might have” for any reason whatsoever.
That’s your grammar minute! Visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.