MAY and MIGHT
NOTE: ü We can use may or might to say that something is a possibility: E.g. It may be true. or. It might be true (= perhaps it is true)
ü For past we use may have (done) and might have (done). E.g. I wonder why Kate didn’t answer the phone. She may have been asleep. (= perhaps she was asleep) I can’t find my bag anywhere. – You might have left it in the shop. (= perhaps you left it in the shop) I was surprised that Kate wasn’t at the meeting yesterday. - She might not have known about it. (= perhaps she didn’t know) I wonder why David was in such a bad mood yesterday. – He may not havebeen feeling well. (= perhaps he wasn’t feeling well)
ü Could is similar to may and migh. E.g. It’s a strange story, but it could be true. (= it may/might be true) You could have left your bag in the shop. (= you may/might have left it in the shop)
But couldn’t (negative) is different from may not and might not. Compare: Sarah couldn’t have got my message. Otherwise she would have replied. (= it is not possible that she got my message) I wonder why Sarah hasn’t replied to my message. I suppose she might not have got it. (= perhaps she didn’t get it, and perhaps she did)
Example: Perhaps Helen is in her office. – She might be in her office. 1. Perhaps John is busy. 2. Perhaps he is working. 3. Perhaps he wants to be alone. 4. Perhaps Ann was ill yesterday. 5. Perhaps she went home early. 6. Perhaps she had to go home early. 7. Perhaps Jill was working yesterday. 8. Perhaps she doesn’t want to see me. 9. Perhaps she isn’t working today. 10. Perhaps she wasn’t feeling well yesterday.
1. ‘Where’s Sam? ’ - ‘I’m not sure. He might be having lunch.’ 2. ‘Who is that man with Emily? ’ – ‘I’m not sure. It might ______ her brother.’ 3. ‘Who was the man we saw with Emily yesterday? ’ – ‘I’m not sure. It may ______ her brother.’ 4. ‘What are those people doing by the side of the road? ’ – ‘I don’t know. They might ______ for a bus.’ 5. ‘Do you have a stamp? ’ – ‘No, but ask Simon. He may ______ one.’
1. I can’t find Jeff anywhere. I wonder where he is. a. (he / go / shopping) He might have gone shopping. b. (he /play / tennis) He might be playing tennis. 2. I’m looking for Sarah. Do you know where she is? a. (she / watch / TV /in her room)________________________________ b. (she / go / out) _____________________________________________ 3. I can’t find my umbrella. Have you seen it? a. (it / be /in the car)___________________________________________ b. (you / leave / in the restaurant last night) ________________________ 4. Why didn’t Dave answer the doorbell? I’m sure he was at home at the time. a. (he / go / to bed early)_______________________________________ b. (he / not / hear / the doorbell) _________________________________ c. (he / be / in the shower) ______________________________________
1. Do you think Sarah got the message we sent her? – No, she would have contacted us. She couldn’t have got it. 2. I was surprised Kate wasn’t at the meeting. Perhaps she didn’t know about it. – That’s possible. She _______________________________________ 3. I wonder why they never replied to our letter. Do you think they received it? – Maybe not. They ____________________________________________ 4. I wonder how the fire started. Was it an accident? – No, the police say it __ 5. Mike says he needs to see you. He tried to find you yesterday. – Well, he _____________________ very hard. I was in my office all day. 6. The man you spoke to – are you sure he was American? – No, I’m not sure. He __________________________________________________
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