May (have) and might (have)

Study this example situation:

You are looking for Jack. Nobody knows for sure where he is, but

you get some suggestions:

He may be in his office. (= perhaps he is in his office)

He might be having lunch. (= perhaps he is having lunch)

Ask Ann.She might know.

We use may or might to say that something is possible. You can say:

He may be in his office. or He might be in his office.

The negative is may not and might not:

• Jack might not be in his office. (= perhaps he isn’t in his office)

• I’m not sure whether I can lend you any money. I may not have enough.

(= perhaps I don’t have enough)

To say what was possible in the past, we use may have (done) and might have (done):

A: I wonder why Ann didn’t answer the doorbell.

B: Well, I suppose she may have been asleep. (= perhaps she was asleep)

A: Why didn’t he say hello when he passed us on the street?

B: He might have been daydreaming. (= perhaps he was daydreaming)

A: I can’t find my hag anywhere.

B: You might have left it in the store. (= perhaps you left it)

A: I wonder why Jill didn’t come to the meeting.

B: She might not have known about it. (= perhaps she didn’t know)

You can use could instead of may or might. But with could the possibility is smaller:

• “Where’s Jack?” “I’m not sure. He could be in his office, I suppose, but he’s not usually there at this time.”