Uses and Grammar of the modal verb might

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How and When to Use the Modal Verb might?

The function of the modal verb might is to express low probability or possibility in the present or future and is followed by a verb in the infinitive. Its meaning in Spanish is: puede que, podría, quizás. It is a modal verb very similar to may.

If you don’t know how to use might, the ABA English video lessons will be very helpful, since they offer clear explanations about this and all the structures that make up English grammar.

How to Use the Verb might

Here are some sentences with might so you can see its use in context

Modal verb might in affirmative

Might to express probability in the future.

‘It might rain later.’ (‘It might rain later’).

Modal verb might in negative

Might not to express probability in the future.

‘She might not go out.’ (‘She might not go out’).

Modal verb might in interrogative

Might to express permission.

‘Might I speak to you for a moment?’ (‘May I speak to you for a moment?’)

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Exercises with the modal verb might

1. Complete the following sentences indicating possibility with the modal verb might plus the verbs in parentheses. Don’t forget to use the correct tense.

You should go home, you ______ _____ better if you have a rest. (feel)

They ______not ____ to talk to me, we have argued recently. (want)

Where is my mother? I am not sure, she ______ _____ _____ to buy something. (go)

If you had trained harder, you _____ _____ _____ the race. (win)

I wonder why George wasn’t at the party. He ______not________about it. (know)

Answers: 1 might feel, 2 might not want to, 3 might have gone, 4 might have won, 5 might not have known.

2. Complete the following sentences indicating suggestion with the verb might plus the verbs in parentheses:

It’s raining! You ______ want to_____ __ _____ a raincoat with you. (take)

Jack’s car is very old. He _____ want to______ __ ____ a new car. (buy)

We _____ ___ to the beach. It’s a nice day! (go)

You are losing a lot of money. You _____ _____ a solution. (find)

_______ I ____ you a piece of advice? (give)

Answers: 1 might want to, 2 might want to buy, 3 might go, 4 might find, 5 Might I give you…?

More exercises with the verb might

Build sentences with the modal verb might using the words in parentheses:

I am looking for my keys, do you know where they are? (they / be / in the car)

(I am looking for my keys, do you know where they are? They might be in the car).

We are planning our holidays but we aren’t sure where to go. We love The Canary Islands.(we / be going / there in july)

(We are planning our holidays but we are not sure where to go. We love the Canary Islands… We might be going there in July).

I have been very nervous the whole day. (I / not sleep / well / tonight)

(I have been very nervous all day. I might not sleep well tonight):

Oscar didn’t go to the office this morning.(he / be / sick)

(Oscar didn’t go to the office this morning. He might be sick).

She hasn’t read my project. (she / not be interested / in your project)_______________

(She hasn’t read my project. She might not be interested in your project).

Answers: 1 they might be in the car, 2 We might be going there in July, 3 I might not sleep very well tonight, 4 He might be sick, 5 She might not be interested in your project.