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Thread: How to use might be - Could be - May be??

  1. #1
    Rushabh is offline Newbie
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    Default How to use might be - Could be - May be??

    Hey,

    I am quite confused with these diff.

    If I write it "I might get late" or I might be late - Both the sentences are same meaning.

    Second thing, people are using could in the present tense - well, could is the past tense of can. So, obviously it is used in present tense rather than past tense - Isn't it?

    Sometimes, writer use it in past - present as well as future tense.

    Please, help me out with mentioning examples. So, I should clear from myself.

    Waiting for your prompt reply.

    Thanks
    Jadoon 84 likes this.

  2. #2
    Rover_KE is online now Moderator
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    Default Re: How to use might be - Could be - May be??

    First click here to read earlier replies this question.

    I found these by typing might be-could be-may be in the Google Custom Search box at the top of the page.

    Rover
    Jadoon 84 likes this.

  3. #3
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: How to use might be - Could be - May be??

    I might get late- I would not use this to mean I might be late.
    emsr2d2 likes this.

  4. #4
    Rushabh is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: How to use might be - Could be - May be??

    Thanks! But truly, a lot's of confusion arising when I use these into writing an article.

    Please, clarify it by writing three - five examples.

    Kindly, help me out here.

    Thanks

  5. #5
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: How to use might be - Could be - May be??

    Basically, it is a question of the probability:

    I may be late = there's a good chance I will be late
    I might be late = there's a small chance I will be late
    Jadoon 84 likes this.

  6. #6
    Rushabh is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: How to use might be - Could be - May be??

    Agreed! My main concern is that many of writers are using in present tense - past tense - future tense. It's really thankful to me, if you explain by example. Give 4-5 examples with comparison. If possible, then please do it.
    Quote Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
    Basically, it is a question of the probability:

    I may be late = there's a good chance I will be late
    I might be late = there's a small chance I will be late

  7. #7
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    Default Re: How to use might be - Could be - May be??

    Quote Originally Posted by Rushabh View Post
    Agreed! My main concern is that many of writers are using in present tense - past tense - future tense. It's really thankful to me, if you explain by example. Give 4-5 examples with comparison. If possible, then please do it.
    Did you look at the link that Rover_KE provided in post #2? Read throgh the examples, there are many.
    Rover_KE likes this.

  8. #8
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: How to use might be - Could be - May be??

    Quote Originally Posted by Rushabh View Post
    A Give 4-5 examples with comparison. If possible, then please do it.
    We don't do people's homework.
    bhaisahab and emsr2d2 like this.

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