may/might go shopping

[Tan Elaine]

1. I might go shopping later today.
2. I may go shopping later today.

Does the use of 'might' in the first sentence instead of 'may' in the second sentence indicate that there is less likelihood of my going shopping today?

Thank you very much.

[engee30]

1. I might go shopping later today.
2. I may go shopping later today.

Does the use of 'might' in the first sentence instead of 'may' in the second sentence indicate that there is less likelihood of my going shopping today?

Thank you very much.

You could say so.

[Charlie Bernstein]

You could say so.

But you'd be wrong.

[Charlie Bernstein]

1. I might go shopping later today.
2. I may go shopping later today.

Does the use of 'might' in the first sentence instead of 'may' in the second sentence indicate that there is less likelihood of my going shopping today?

Thank you very much.

No. In this example, may and might mean exactly the same thing.

[I edit copy and have tutored college writing.]

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks, Charles.

Please elaborate whether the sentences mean the same thing since you say Engee is wrong. Or what is the difference in using 'may' and 'might'?

[engee30]

But you'd be wrong.

Not quite so. According to some grammars, will represents some 90% of likelihood; may some 60%; might some 30%; could some 10%.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Thanks, Charles.

Please elaborate whether the sentences mean the same thing since you say Engee is wrong. Or what is the difference in using 'may' and 'might'?

There's nothing to elaborate. As I said, in your example, there's no difference.

The two words do have different meanings, but in this particular example they mean the same thing.

May sometimes means have permission to, but there's nothing in your example to suggest that that's what it means here. Even if it did, it still has no bearing on probability, which is what you're asking about.

I can't speak to Engee's answer. Maybe they know something in Poland that I don't know here.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Not quite so. According to some grammars, will represents some 90% of likelihood; may some 60%; might some 30%; could some 10%.

Get your money back and invest in a better book of grammar.

[Tan Elaine]

Hi Charles

You haven't explained why you say Engee is wrong. Could you please elaborate on your reply?

Many thanks.

[engee30]

No. In this example, may and might mean exactly the same thing.

[I edit copy and have tutored college writing.]

Another member of this forum asked a similar question some time ago:
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...certainty.html

Volcano1985 in that thread cited the British Council site as the source of his information, so I think you might get a really good grammar instead of me. I've got loads of such!