May\might 2

Status
Not open for further replies.

Isra

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2006
Member Type
Student or Learner
hi tdol!

I am for the first alternative?
Why not? May be isn't clear if he survived or not??:-|
 

riverkid

Key Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Member Type
English Teacher
He may have died.

This can be used in either an epistemic modal manner or a deontic modal manner so either is possible. 'may' used in the latter fashion, as a deontic denoting an admonishment is a much less likely collocation than 'could' or 'might', hence we have a greater tendency to view it as "a possibility that he died".
 
Joined
Feb 15, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
i think both are possible depending on the situation and the intonation the speaker uses while saying it. the first one will mean that he escaped close death and the second will imply uncertainity
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
He may have died in the accident.- current status unknown
He might have died in the accident.- he survived, but there was a risk of death

However, this distinction is being eroded and many speakers use 'may + have + past participle' with the second meaning.
 

riverkid

Key Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Member Type
English Teacher
He may have died in the accident.- current status unknown
He might have died in the accident.- he survived, but there was a risk of death

However, this distinction is being eroded and many speakers use 'may + have + past participle' with the second meaning.

This distinction never existed, Tdol, at least not in the sweeping fashion that has been suggested. In certain circumstances, 'might' can be used in a mocking, admonishing type fashion;

"He might have been killed if you two had tried that stunt."

But to suggest that a speaker can't state that, in their mind, there's a greater certainty that death could have occurred, leaves certain thoughts unexpressable in English. This is something that just can't possible occur.

"He may have been killed if you two had tried that stunt."

"He probably would have been killed if you two had tried that stunt."

"He almost certainly would have been killed if you two had tried that stunt."

"He would have been killed if you two had tried that stunt."

He may have died in the accident.- current status unknown or an admonishment

He might have died in the accident. - current status unknown or an admonishment
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
He may have died in the accident.- current status unknown.

He might have died in the accident. - current status unknown or an admonishment.

My contribution, just in case anyone might be interested.;-)
 

ski_power

Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
I believe both are correct in spoken english depending on the part the speaker stresses.
 

be real

VIP Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Member Type
Student or Learner
This means we don't know whether he is alive or dead.
 

Unwritten

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Arabic
Home Country
Palestinian Territory
Current Location
Palestinian Territory
<
<


Mmmm , I disagree with you

I am with the First option, I hope so :-?
 

LearneroE

New member
Joined
Nov 6, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Arabic
Home Country
Libya
Current Location
Libya
The second option is correct
 

Bust3rboi

Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
He may have died in the accident. - Means status is unknown . Let me try to make it a little more simple.

Kid : " Dad can i have a dollar coin ?"
Dad : "I may be able to give you a dollar coin .Let me check my wallet" .
*checks*
Dad : " Aww sorry son , im out of coins "

This shows one is not 100% certain about the situation .

If you wanted the sentence to show that the driver survived , the better word to replace " may " with is could .
 

tareq10

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Arabic
Home Country
Egypt
Current Location
Egypt
may is the same as might but 'might' has less possibility
it might rain.
it may rain.

If might has 50% possiblility, may has 60% or more

It depends on the situation
 

zeus

Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Example: Why wasn't Mary in class?
a)100% She was sick (The speaker is sure)

b) 95% She must have been sick (The speaker is making a logical
conclusion,''I saw Mary yesterday
found out that she was sick.I
assume that is the reason why
she was absent.I can't think of
any other good reason'')

c)Less than 50% (The speaker is mentioning one
possibility.)
c1)She may have been sick
c2)She might have been sick
c3)She could have been sick
 

Huda-M

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Urdu
Home Country
Pakistan
Current Location
Pakistan
got it right!!!
 

billmcd

Key Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Context. Context. Context.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5jj

The Majesty

Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Arabic
Home Country
Saudi Arabia
Current Location
Saudi Arabia
I still misunderstand. How can give us prpoer answer

and thanks
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top