key term - Might

Definition

Might is a modal auxiliary verb used to express possibility, permission, or a suggestion that is less certain than 'may.' It helps convey situations that are hypothetical or uncertain, linking to how we communicate ideas and moods in language.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Might is often used in conditional sentences to indicate a potential outcome based on a specific condition being met.
2. In the subjunctive mood, might expresses suggestions or hypothetical scenarios that are not certain to happen.
3. Might can imply a polite request or permission in less formal contexts.
4. The use of might can indicate doubt about the truth of a statement or likelihood of an event occurring.
5. Might is commonly paired with other modal verbs to create nuanced expressions of possibility and probability.

Review Questions

• How does might function within conditional sentences, and what role does it play in expressing possibility?
  • Might is used in conditional sentences to suggest potential outcomes based on specific conditions. For example, in the sentence 'If it rains, we might stay inside,' 'might' indicates that staying inside is a possible result of the condition of it raining. This usage shows the uncertainty and variability of outcomes dependent on whether the condition is met.
• Discuss the differences between might and may in terms of mood and certainty in communication.
  • While both might and may express possibility, might is generally used to indicate a lower degree of certainty compared to may. For instance, 'It may rain tomorrow' suggests a higher likelihood than 'It might rain tomorrow.' This distinction reflects nuances in mood and expectation when discussing future events or permissions.
• Evaluate how the use of might in the subjunctive mood alters the meaning of a sentence compared to indicative constructions.
  • Using might in the subjunctive mood adds a layer of hypothetical thinking and suggestion to a statement. For instance, 'If I were you, I might consider applying for that job' implies an uncertainty about the action of applying compared to a straightforward indicative statement like 'You should apply for that job.' The subjunctive construction opens up room for personal interpretation and situational context, emphasizing possibilities rather than certainties.

Related terms

Modal Verbs: Auxiliary verbs that express necessity, ability, permission, or possibility, such as can, could, will, would, may, might, must, and shall.

Subjunctive Mood: A grammatical mood used to express wishes, hypothetical situations, or actions that are not necessarily real or certain.

Conditional Sentences: Sentences that express a condition and its possible outcome, often using 'if' to set up the relationship between the condition and the result.