Might (modal verb) — used to say that something is possible, or to make a polite suggestion: It might snow tonight.
Might (noun) — great power, strength, or force: They fought with all their might.
What Does Might Mean?
Might comes from Old English miht or mæht, meaning power or capacity, related to the verb magan (to be able). That ancient root gives us both modern senses: the noun meaning physical or political strength, and the modal verb — which developed as the past tense of may and gradually took on its own range of uses in expressing possibility.
As a modal verb, might is one of the core English modals, sitting alongside may, could, should, and must. It expresses weak possibility (something that could happen but is not certain), careful speculation about the past (she might have forgotten), and — especially in formal British English — polite suggestions and requests (you might want to reconsider).
As a noun, might is uncountable and appears most often in fixed phrases: with all one's might, military might, the might of the empire. The related adjective mighty is far more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| It might rain this afternoon, so take an umbrella. | A2 — expressing future possibility |
| You might want to check the spelling before you submit. | B1 — polite suggestion |
| She thought the exam might be harder than last year. | B1 — reported speculation (past context) |
| He might have left his keys at the office — he sounded flustered on the phone. | B2 — past speculation with might + have |
| Might I enquire as to the purpose of your visit? | C1 — formal polite request, inverted structure |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| might + base verb | It might happen sooner than you think. |
| might have + past participle | They might have already left. |
| you might want to | You might want to read the small print first. |
| might well | That might well be the best solution. |
| might just | This might just work after all. |
| with all one's might | She pushed the door open with all her might. |
| military might | The country demonstrated its military might. |
| might and main | They rowed with might and main to reach the shore. |
| as the case might be | Students, or professionals, as the case might be, are welcome. |
| might I ask / enquire | Might I ask what brought you here today? |
Usage Notes
Key Points for Learners
- Always use the base form after might: might go, might see, might be — never might to go or might going.
- No -s for third person: She might know, never she mights know. Modal verbs do not inflect.
- Past speculation: Use might have + past participle to speculate about past events: He might have misunderstood the instructions.
- Might vs. may: Might suggests slightly lower probability than may. In formal contexts, may is preferred for permission; might for tentative requests.
- Reported speech: May becomes might in reported speech: “It may be late” → She said it might be late.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She might to call you later.
She might call you later. (modal + base form, no to)
He mights be at home.
He might be at home. (modals never take -s)
They might have forgot to book.
They might have forgotten to book. (use past participle, not past simple)
I might could help you. (non-standard double modal)
I might be able to help you. (standard British English)