[General] might be difficult/may be difficult/maybe difficult

[kompstar]

Are the sentence below correct? Do they mean the same?

1. That might be difficult.
2. That may be difficult.
3. That maybe difficult.

 

[MikeNewYork]

"Are the sentences below".

1 and 2 are correct. 3 is not.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think 'Maybe that is difficult' is grammatical, but I am not a teacher.

 

[kompstar]

1. That might be difficult. <- Is it the past tense?
2. That may be difficult. <- Is it the present tense?

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think both refer to the present, but I am not a teacher.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Kompstar:

Here is some information that may interest you.

One scholar says that "might" (classified as the past tense of "may") may "indicate either present or future time."

The past tense form, he says, expresses "an idea less definitely [my emphasis] -- with a greater degree of doubt."

He gives these examples:

You may find it.
You might find it. (more doubtful)


Credit: Walter Kay Smart, English Review Grammar (Fourth edition, 1940).


*****

Only my comment: I have found that sometimes when people use "might," that is a nice way to say "No":

James: Are you coming to my party on Saturday?
Mona (who does not like James but who does not want to hurt his feelings): Oh, I might (come)."




"

 

[Matthew Wai]

1. That might be difficult. <- Is it the past tense?

I think it would refer to the past if 'be' was replaced with 'have been', but I am not a teacher.