Might and might not

  • A2 · Elementary
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

Possibility with might and might not: We might move to Chicago. I might not take the job, though. From a voice message about a job offer in another city to the student weighing a big decision of their own.

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might snowmight notmight be

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Listen: Willa's messageListening comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find might and might notGrammar exercise
  6. 6How might worksGrammar rule
  7. 7might, will or won't?Grammar exercise
  8. 8Before the tripGrammar exercise
  9. 9Build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  10. 10Find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12Big decisionsSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: who's coming?Grammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: which is right?Grammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: maybe, maybe notDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. Which city in your country is the best for work? Would you like to live there?
  2. Do you know your schedule for next week yet, or can it still change?
  3. Are you quick with big decisions, or do you take a long time?

Grammar rule

How might works

might / might not + verb

Example
PositiveIt might snow tonight.
NegativeOur flight might not leave on time.
A guess about nowDad isn't answering. He might be asleep.
Short answers"Are you coming to the party on Friday?" "I might." / "I might not."

Use: something is possible, but you aren't sure. It can be about the future (It might snow tonight) or about now (He might be asleep).

How sure? It will snow. (sure) · It might snow. (maybe) · It might not snow. (maybe not) · It won't snow. (sure)

Questions: Might it…? is rare and very formal. Ask with Do you think…?: Do you think it'll snow? — It might. With what or where, might is fine: What might happen?

might is the same for every person: he might, she might (not she mights). After it comes the verb with no to, no -s and no -ing: not She might to come, not He might comes. No do: not I don't might go, but I might not go.
maybe is a different word, and it goes at the start: Maybe we'll move. = We might move. (not We maybe move) could and may also say that something is possible: It could snow. It may snow. But not can for one event: not It can snow tonight.

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