1. Exploring Grammar in Context
Kiwan Sung
Kyung Hee University

2. Part B Modals in Context
Unit 8 May, might & must
Part B Modals in Context

3. May, might, & must Compare the following:
Ex) He might come for the dinner tonight. You never know.
He may come for the dinner tonight. He often does.
He must come for the dinner tonight.
So depending on the context, there is difference in the degree of certainty.

4. May Probable facts in scientific, academic & technical texts
Ex) There may be 3,000 eggs in a large lump of frog-spawn.
Polite permission
Ex) May I come in and talk to you for a second?
Might is more polite & formal

5. Might Giving polite suggestions or advice
Ex) You might reply to your uncle for the wonderful gift for your birthday
Announcing decision (more formal)
Ex) I might try the chef’s special salad this time.
Guessing in the past (used with thought, suspected)
Ex) She thought she might be promoted this time.

6. May & Might May have p.p. vs. might have p.p.
Ex) He may have said so (but it is not sure).
He might have said so (but it is very unlikely),
May is used for more possibility
Ex) If you let me know what you need, I may help you. (=can)
vs. I might help you.

7. Must
1. Certainty or definite feeling Ex) The car must cost a fortune. 2. Giving an order, instruction, or advice Ex) You must try a new restaurant in town. 3) How things should be Ex) You must come in time for the meeting. 4) Prohibition Ex) You must not smoke in school. cf. should not, cannot, are not allowed to

8. May, might, must Difference in meaning in past perfect
Ex) He may have been late.
He might have been late.
He must have been late.
Cf) He can’t have been late.
He couldn’t have been late.

9. May & Must May-used for explaining rules & regulations
Ex) The smoking may not be available at some airports nowadays.
Must-absolute obligations, rules, or conditions
Ex) You must file a tax return form by the end of this year.

10. May, might, must Idiomatic or formulaic expressions
Ex) I might have guessed he would not make it but he was so sure.
She may well give up the contest (=It is natural that ~)
I may as well talk to her directly (=had better)
If I may say so, the party couldn’t have been better.