can, may, might

can, may, might
Can suggests mental or physical ability: "Jane can sing beautifully when she tries." May implies permission or sanction: "Babs may borrow my suitcase if she wishes." This distinction between can and may is illustrated thus: "Jim can swim, but his mother says that he may not." May also expresses possibility and wish (desire): "It may snow tonight (possibility)." "May you have a good rest this weekend (desire)." Might is used after a governing verb in the past tense, may after such a verb in the present tense: "She says that we may go." "She said that we might go."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • might — See can, may, might See might, mighty …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • may — See can. See can, may, might …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • can — See can, may, might …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • might - may — Might and may are used mainly to talk about possibility. They can also be used to make a request, to ask permission, or to make a suggestion. When might and may can be used with the same meaning, may is more formal than might …   Useful english dictionary

  • can — 1 strong verb (modal verb) 1 to be able to: He s so tall he can touch the ceiling. | This machine can perform two million calculations per second. | I can t remember where I put it. | They have everything that money can buy. | The police still… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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