Explanation
Exercises

🧭 Might / Might not — Possibility

Use might to express a real possibility or uncertainty now or in the future; use might not when the negative is possible.

might + base verb might not + base verb no “to” maybe / perhaps probably after the modal might be V-ing / might have V3 polite: may I…?
🟦Meaning
POSSIBILITY
  • “Where’s Susan?” — “She might be in the garden.”
  • The sky is clearing. It might not rain this afternoon.
  • They might win the competition this year.
ACTIONS
  • I might go for a run later. (= it’s possible I will go)
  • He might not come to the party.
🟥Form
STRUCTURE
  • might / might not + base verb: She might arrive early.
  • ✗ She might to arrive early.
  • No -s after he/she/it: He might leave.
QUESTIONS
  • We don’t use do/does/did. Rare as a question, but: May I sit here? (= Can I…?)
  • Indirect questions are natural: Do you think he might call?
Contraction: mightn’t (mainly BrE). In AmE, prefer full form: might not.
📈Degree of certainty (rough guide)
will
must
should
may / might / could
might not
can’t
Adverbs
  • Use maybe / perhaps before the clause: Maybe he’ll call.
  • probably goes after the modal: He will probably call. / He might probably call is best avoided; prefer He’ll probably call or Maybe he’ll call.
🧩Polite suggestions & conditionals
  • You might want to back up your files. (= helpful advice)
  • If you hurry, you might catch the bus. (= possible result)
  • might as well + base verb = no better alternative: It’s raining; we might as well stay in.
🕰️Continuous & perfect
  • might be + V-ing (now/around now): She might be sleeping.
  • might have + past participle (past speculation): They might have missed the train.
  • Negative: He might not have seen your message.
🔄May vs Might vs Could
  • may ≈ might for possibility; may is a touch more formal.
  • could also shows possibility, often neutral like might: It could rain.
  • Permission: prefer may I…? (polite). We don’t use might I in everyday speech.
🧾Form notes & reported speech
  • ✗ might to go → ✅ might go.
  • Reported speech: “It may rain.” → He said it might rain.
  • Word order with adverbs: He might not come (not *might come not).
🧪More examples
  • We might need a bigger venue if registrations keep rising.
  • She might not be available this afternoon — try tomorrow morning.
  • Maybe they’ll join us, but they might change their plans.
  • He might have left already; check the parking lot.
Tip: For stronger certainty, switch to must: He must be at work (= I’m almost sure).

Recap: might (not) + base verb shows real but uncertain possibility. Use maybe/perhaps before the clause; put probably after the modal or main verb. For ongoing or past speculation, use might be V-ing / might have V3. For permission, prefer may I…?

Exercises:
1
2
3

Might, might not: Possibility

Rewrite the sentences on the right using might, might not.

Rewrite each sentence on the right using might / might not.

1
It’s possible that I will come tomorrow. ⇒ I tomorrow.
2
Perhaps she doesn’t know the truth. ⇒ She the truth.
3
Maybe we will have to cancel the wedding. ⇒ We the wedding.
4
Perhaps they will call you for an interview. ⇒ They you for an interview.
5
Maybe he will be at home this evening. ⇒ He at home this evening.
6
It’s possible that it will rain later. ⇒ It later.
7
Perhaps the train will be late. ⇒ The train .
8
Maybe we won’t finish on time. ⇒ We on time.
9
It’s possible that you will need extra help. ⇒ You extra help.
10
Perhaps I will like the new manager. ⇒ I the new manager.

Might, might not: Possibility

Click on the right option for each sentence.
1
Take an umbrella with you.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
2
Don’t wait for us.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
3
Let’s book a table in advance.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
4
Bring some cash.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
5
Keep your phone on.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
6
Drive carefully on that bridge.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
7
Don’t delete that file.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
8
Check the address before you go.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
9
Take a jacket.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
10
Leave now if you want the 8:30 train.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Might, might not: Possibility

Complete each sentence using might, might not and one of the verbs in the box.
Verb box: gorainbe arrivegetwin workchoosedie callfindstay

Form: might (not) + base verb With “be”: might (not) be No “to” after might

1
We haven’t booked anything yet. We to Italy in September. (plan unclear)
2
Take an umbrella — it later.
3
She looks pale. She ill.
4
He hasn’t answered all morning. He at the gym.
5
Traffic looks heavy today. I late.
6
The roads are clear this morning, so we stuck in traffic.
7
He’s trained really hard. He the tournament.
8
Keep the receipt. The blender tomorrow.
9
She hasn’t decided yet; she the blue dress.
10
Bring a charger. Your battery is low — your phone before we arrive.