may or might

[oxford2011]

Could any body check the following sentence
I thought you may have given me a wrong number or I thought you might have given me a wrong number

[bhaisahab]

Could any body check the following sentence
I thought you may have given me a wrong number or I thought you might have given me a wrong number

I seem to remember that you have asked questions about "may" and "might" before.

[oxford2011]

I know that I asked this question before but still I have some problem in understanding its proper use. I would highly appreciate if you could help me please.

[Joseph_learner]

something that may happen is more likely than something that might happen.

Might: To express a possibility that's smaller than may.
''I brought him a sandwich because I thought he might be hungry''.
Or
The rain might stop right now( something that I'm not sure it will happen).


May: To express greater possibility than might.
'' If my best friend invites me to the party, I may be there.

[5jj]

something that may happen is more likely than something that might happen.

Unfortunately, this is not true for all speakers, and some do not use 'may' at all. This is currently one of those grey areas. All we can really tell learners is that there is often no real difference in meaning.

[Joseph_learner]

Unfortunately, this is not true for all speakers, and some do not use 'may' at all. This is currently one of those grey areas. All we can really tell learners is that there is often no real difference in meaning.

Oh, I am sorry then! It's just the way I learned that rule at school.
So, would it be better if I just use might?

[birdeen's call]

Oh, I am sorry then! It's just the way I learned that rule at school.
So, would it be better if I just use might?

Not really. The rule you've been taught is fine (although certainly not always correct -- as it usually is with simple rules in English). You can stick to it if you want. Just be aware that other people may not abide by it.

[Joseph_learner]

Not really. The rule you've been taught is fine (although certainly not always correct -- as it usually is with simple rules in English). You can stick to it if you want. Just be aware that other people may not abide by it.

Alright, thank you. :)

[TheParser]

Could any body check the following sentence
I thought you may have given me a wrong number or I thought you might have given me a wrong number

NOT A TEACHER


(1) You are a learner; I am a learner. We learners like rules, don't we!

(2) Here is a rule that some people (repeat: some people) like. You may want to

follow this rule: If the main verb is in the past, then change all the other verbs to

the past (in most cases).

(3) I think that you are nice.
I thought that you were nice.

I think that it is going to rain.
I thought that it was going to rain.

I think that he will come.
I thought that he would come.

I think that he may/might have given me the wrong number.
I thought that he might have given me the wrong number.

(4) As the other posters have told you, not everyone would use this rule with your sentence.

Some would, however. It is your decision to make.