Might, might not: Possibility

When do we use might and might not?

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Might (not)= Maybe it is (not) true

We use might/might not when we think something is (not) or will (not) be true, but we aren’t sure.

• ‘Suzan isn’t answering the phone.’ ‘She might be in the garden.’
• The sky is clearing up. It might not rain this afternoon. 
• They might win the competition. 

I might (not)= It is possible that I will (not)

We say that someone might do something to mean that ‘it is possible that someone will do something‘.

• I might go for a run this afternoon. (=It’s possible that I will go for a run.)
• She might come to the conference.

We say that someone might not do something to mean that ‘it is possible that someone won’t do something‘.

• I might not come to the party. (=It’s possible that I won’t come to the party.)
• He might not go to work tomorrow. 

May, may not

May= might

We can use may and may not instead of might and might not.

• She may be late for class this morning. 
• They may not like your decision. 

May I…?

We don’t often use might or may in questions. However, we can use may I in questions to ask for permission.

• May I sit here? (=Can I sit here?)
• May I come in?