- might
- I [[t]maɪt[/t]]
MODAL USES
♦(Might is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb.)1) MODAL (vagueness) You use might to indicate that something will possibly happen or be true in the future, but you cannot be certain.
There's a report today that smoking might be banned totally in most buildings...
The two countries might go to war...
I might well regret it later...
He said he might not be back until tonight.
Syn:2) MODAL (vagueness) You use might to indicate that there is a possibility that something is true, but you cannot be certain.She and Simon's father had not given up hope that he might be alive...
You might be right...
They haven't seen each other for five years; he might not be interested in her any more.
...a suit that looks as though it might contain polyester.
Syn:3) MODAL (vagueness) You use might to indicate that something could happen or be true in particular circumstances.America might sell more cars to the islands if they were made with the steering wheel on the right.
...the type of person who might appear in a fashion magazine.
Syn:4) MODAL You use might have with a past participle to indicate that it is possible that something happened or was true, or when giving a possible explanation for something.I heard what might have been an explosion...
She thought the shooting might have been an accident...
The equipment needed to clean up the spill might not have arrived yet...
The letters might not have been meant for me at all.
Syn:may have5) MODAL You use might have with a past participle to indicate that something was a possibility in the past, although it did not actually happen.If she had had to give up riding she might have taken up sailing competitively...
Had the bomb dropped over a populated area of the city, there might have been a great deal of damage...
The report might have been better written...
I didn't give my name because if I did I thought you might not have come.
6) MODAL You use might in statements where you are accepting the truth of a situation, but contrasting it with something that is more important.He might be a bore, but he was as quick-witted as a weasel...
They might not have two cents to rub together, but at least they have a kind of lifestyle that is different.
Syn:7) MODAL (emphasis) You use might when you are saying emphatically that someone ought to do the thing mentioned, especially when you are annoyed because they have not done it.And while I'm out you might clean up the kitchen...
You might have told me that before!
Syn:8) MODAL (politeness) You use might to make a suggestion or to give advice in a very polite way.They might be wise to stop advertising on television...
You might try the gas station down the street...
You might want to consider cycling...
I was just wondering if you might like to go feed the cat...
I thought we might go for a drive on Sunday...
It might be a good idea to tell your husband.
9) MODAL (politeness) You use might as a polite way of interrupting someone, asking a question, making a request, or introducing what you are going to say next. [FORMAL, SPOKEN]Might I make a suggestion?...
Might I ask what you're doing here?...
Might I trouble you for a drop more tea?...
I was wondering if I might talk to you for a moment...
Might I draw your readers' attention to the dangers in the Government's proposal.
Syn:10) MODAL You use might in expressions such as as you might expect and as you might imagine in order to indicate that the statement you are making is not surprising.`How's Jan?' she asked. - `Bad. As you might expect.'...
The drivers, as you might imagine, didn't care much for that.
Syn:11) MODAL (emphasis) You use might in expressions such as I might add and I might say in order to emphasize a statement that you are making.Relatives ring up constantly, not always for the best motives, I might add...
It didn't come as a great surprise to me, I might say.
12) MODAL You use might in expressions such as I might have known and I might have guessed to indicate that you are not surprised at a disappointing event or fact.I might have known I'd find you with some little slut...
`I detest clutter, you know.' - `I didn't know, but I might have guessed.'
Syn:II [[t]ma͟ɪt[/t]] NOUN USES1) N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp Might is power or strength. [FORMAL]The might of the army could prove a decisive factor.
Syn:2) PHRASE: PHR with v If you do something with all your might, you do it using all your strength and energy.She swung the hammer at his head with all her might.
English dictionary. 2008.
