May and might both mean that something is possible, and in the present the difference is small: might sounds slightly less certain. It may rain and It might rain are almost the same. Polite requests for permission use may: May I come in? In reported speech after a past verb (She said she might be late) and in conditional sentences, you need might.
may or might — can you pick the right one?
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may/might + verb: possibility now or in the future; may/might have + past participle: guess about the past; May I…?: polite permission; You might have + past participle!: reproach
- Take an umbrella, because it may rain later this afternoon.
- I might be a bit late tonight, as my train is delayed.
- May I leave my bag here while I look around the shop?
What changed
First versionWe might to visit my aunt this weekend.
RevisionWe might visit my aunt this weekend.
After may and might, the verb comes without to, just as after can and must: we might visit, she may come. To slips in by analogy with have to, want to, need to. Only to was removed.
Might have can express a complaint: You might have told me the meeting was cancelled! means you could at least have told me. May doesn't work this way: You may have told me means perhaps you did tell me.
Your turn
You ___ have warned me that the shop was closed! I walked all the way there for nothing.
Show the answer
might — The speaker is annoyed about a wasted walk to the shop and complains that the other person could at least have warned them. This kind of complaint is only possible with might have. May have would mean perhaps you did warn me, which doesn't fit the exclamation or the wasted walk.
Write about your weekend plans if you haven't decided yet. Name two possible options.
This weekend I might go hiking with friends, or I may just stay at home and finish my book.
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