May / Might: Permission and Possibility
GRAMMAR-(B1-B2)
9/22/2025
Explanation
Modal verbs may and might are used to show permission and possibility.
1. May
Permission (formal, polite):
May I sit here? (= asking politely)
You may leave early today. (= giving permission)
Possibility (something could happen):
It may rain later. (= it’s possible)
He may not come to the party. (= maybe he won’t come)
👉 Negative: may not
You may not park here. (= it’s not allowed)
It may not snow tomorrow. (= probably not)
2. Might
Possibility (weaker than “may”):
I might watch TV tonight. (= maybe yes, maybe no)
She might not join us. (= it’s uncertain)
⚠️ Important: Might is not used for permission.
❌ Might I sit here?
✅ May I sit here?
Quick Tip
Use may for permission.
Use may / might for possibility.
Exercise 1 – Sentence Practice
May I open the window?
You may not use your phone during the test.
It may rain this evening.
She may not come to class tomorrow.
He might be late.
The shop might not open today.
Exercise 2 – Dialogue Practice
At the Library
Student: May I borrow this book?
Librarian: Yes, you may.
At the Bus Stop
Friend 1: The bus is late.
Friend 2: It may come soon, or it might be canceled.
At a Party
Guest: May I have this dance?
Host: Of course, you may.
Exercise 3 – Rephrasing Sentences
Rewrite the sentences using may or might.
Can I sit here?
You are allowed to come home late.
It's possible that I won’t be able to see you tomorrow.
If they hurry, they can possibly catch the train.
If she doesn’t wake up, it’s possible that she will miss her flight.
Exercise 4 – Sentence Building
Use may to politely ask permission.
lean my seat back (on an airplane)
put my bags here
hang my coat here
have this dance (at a party)
have a glass of water
Exercise 5 – Error Correction
Correct the mistakes in these sentences.
Might I borrow your phone?
It may not rains tomorrow.
He may goes to the store.
You might park here. (asking for permission)
She may not to agree with you.
Answer Key
Exercise 3
May I sit here?
You may come home late.
I may not be able to see you tomorrow.
They may catch the train if they hurry. / They might catch the train if they hurry.
She may miss her flight if she doesn’t wake up. / She might miss her flight if she doesn’t wake up.
Exercise 4 (sample answers)
May I lean my seat back?
May I put my bags here?
May I hang my coat here?
May I have this dance?
May I have a glass of water?
Exercise 5
❌ Might I borrow your phone? → ✅ May I borrow your phone?
❌ It may not rains tomorrow. → ✅ It may not rain tomorrow.
❌ He may goes to the store. → ✅ He may go to the store.
❌ You might park here. → ✅ May I park here? (if asking for permission) / You may park here. (if giving permission)
❌ She may not to agree with you. → ✅ She may not agree with you.
