might

might1 [ maıt ] modal verb ***

Might is usually followed by an infinitive without to :

I might change my mind. Sometimes might is used without a following infinitive:

I don't think we'll need any more help, but we might.

Might does not change its form, so the third person singular form does not end in -s :

She might be late.

Questions and negatives are formed without do :

Might I make a suggestion?

Your plan might not work. The negative short form mightn't can also be used, but only in very informal English.

Might has no participles and no infinitive form.

There is no past tense but might have, followed by a past participle, is used for talking about past possibilities:

The explosion might have been caused by a gas leak.

When indirect speech is introduced by a verb in the past tense, might can be used as the past tense of may:

She said that she might go and stay with her mother.

There is no future tense, but might is used for talking about future possibilities:

It might rain tomorrow.

1. ) used for showing possibility

a ) used for saying that there is a possibility that something is true, or that something will happen, especially when it is not very likely:

You never know what might happen in the future.

I was afraid that someone might recognize me.

Did you say anything that might have upset her?

might just (=used when something is difficult or unlikely but possible): We might just get there in time if we hurry.

b ) might have done something used when something was possible but did not in fact happen:

You might have been killed.

How different things might have been, if you had decided to have children.

With a bit more effort we might have won the game.

c ) might not/might never have done something used when you imagine what the situation would perhaps have been if something had not happened, although it did in fact happen:

If I had not discovered Oliver's letter, I might never have known.

d ) might (very) well/easily SPOKEN used for saying that something is likely to happen or is likely to be true:

We might well have to wait six months before we know the answers.

The crisis might very easily lead to war.

=> MAY

2. ) used for asking for or giving permission

a ) SPOKEN used for very politely asking permission to do something:

Might I ask the President a question?

I wonder if I might use your telephone.

John asked if he might accompany me, and I agreed.

b ) FORMAL if someone said in the past that you might do something, they gave you permission to do it:

Mr. Binks had said that we might borrow his pickup truck.

3. ) used for suggesting something SPOKEN used for making a suggestion:

I thought we might have a walk around the neighborhood.

You might like to see what we've done to the backyard.

4. ) used when criticizing someone SPOKEN used for showing that you are annoyed with someone because they have not done something that they should do:

He might have warned me he was going to be late.

In future you might try to be a little more polite.

5. ) used for showing a purpose SPOKEN used for saying that someone did something in order to achieve a particular purpose:

I refused a party invitation so that I might spend Sunday with you.

6. ) used for saying how something seems to you used for talking about the way in which someone remembers or thinks of a situation:

I remember that day so clearly, it might have been yesterday.

as you might expect/imagine SPOKEN

used for showing that you do not think that something is surprising:

As you might expect, this top-of-the-range model is not cheap.

As you might imagine, the Republicans were very happy to see the bill fail.

I might have known/guessed SPOKEN

used for saying that you are not or should not be surprised at a situation:

I might have known he would be late.

I might add SPOKEN

used for emphasizing a new piece of information:

I've had an offer a very generous offer, I might add.

might...but SPOKEN

used for saying that although something is perhaps true, this does not change the main fact that you are stating:

Armstrong might not be a great player, but he's a good captain.

This might sound crazy, but I think someone is following me.

might (just) as well INFORMAL

1. ) used to suggest doing something because you cannot think of anything better to do:

We might as well sit down while we're waiting.

You might as well enjoy your money while you've got it.

2. ) used for saying that it would not make any difference if you did something else:

The meeting was a complete waste of time. I might just as well have stayed at home.

might well ask/wonder

used for saying that it would be reasonable to ask or think something:

You might well wonder why we need all these rules.

try/strive as someone might LITERARY

used for saying that although someone tries as hard as they can to do something, they do not succeed:

Try as she might, Gina could not stop the tears.

what/who/where etc. might...? SPOKEN

used for asking someone to tell you something, especially when you think they do not want to tell you:

And where might you be going at this time of night?

might

might 2 [ maıt ] noun uncount

great power or strength, especially a country's military or economic power:

the full might of the Roman army

with all your might

using all your strength:

She prayed to God with all her might.

Amos was tugging at the rope with all his might.