May might could the difference

[Rachel Adams]

Is there any difference in meaning between the modal verbs in these examples? Do only "may" and "might" express prediction, while "could" expresses that something is not impossible?

1. "It could rain tonight."

2. "It may rain tonight."

3. "It might rain tonight."

In Betty Schrampfer Azar's "Understanding and Using English Grammar" the degrees of possibilities are expressed by percent. For example, less than 50% certainty is expressed by "might" and "may" and "could". "Where's John?" He could/may/might be at the library."

 

[emsr2d2]

We've seen users quote these bizarre percentages before. Don't follow them rigidly. Native speakers have absolutely no thoughts about percentages of probability when they speak.

As a BrE speaker, I would use only the third of your sentences. I'm one of those old-fashioned Brits who don't use "may" to mean "might".

 

[5jj]

As has been said in other threads, one problem the may/might is that people use them in different ways.

1. Some use might as a more distanced form of may - in time, reality or directness.
2. Some use the two forms indiscriminately.
3. Some use one form only, usually might.

 

[Rachel Adams]

As has been said in other threads, one problem the may/might is that people use them in different ways.

1. Some use might as a more distanced form of may - in time, reality or directness.
2. Some use the two forms indiscriminately.
3. Some use one form only, usually might.

Thus, there is no difference in meaning, but in usage, isn't there? (Off topic. Should it be "isn't there" or "is there"?)

 

[emsr2d2]

Thus, there is no difference in meaning, but in usage, isn't there? (Off topic. Should it be "isn't there" or "is there"?)

It should be "There is no difference in meaning, is there?"

 

[5jj]

It should be "There is no difference in meaning, is there?"

:up:

And the answer is that there is some difference in meaning - for some people.

 

[Rachel Adams]

:up:

And the answer is that there is some difference in meaning - for some people.

Is this the difference in meaning, or is it the difference in usage?

1. Some use might as a more distanced form of may - in time, reality or directness.
2. Some use the two forms indiscriminately.
3. Some use one form only, usually might.

I mean the difference between all three of them "may", "might" and "could".

 

[Tarheel]

This one has been addressed many times already.
:-|

 

[Rachel Adams]

This one has been addressed many times already.
:-|

I am asking about the difference between them when they are used to talk about predictions, not about other uses. :-?

 

[Tdol]

You can say you may well for a good possibility, but you are far less likely to say you might well.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Is this the difference in meaning, or is it the difference in usage?

1. Some use might as a more distanced form of may - in time, reality or directness.
2. Some use the two forms indiscriminately.
3. Some use one form only, usually might.

I mean the difference between all three of them "may", "might" and "could".

Yes, up to a point. Both 2 and 3 describe me. I use all three interchangeably but probably use "might" most often.

BUT:

There's something we don't say here often enough: Meaning comes both from WHAT we say and HOW we say it. Consider how these have different meanings:

- It MIGHT rain tonight. (This expresses doubt.)
- It might RAIN tonight. (This expresses concern about tonight's weather.)
- It might rain TONIGHT! (This assumes it's going to rain soon and reminds us that it might happen VERY soon.)

The difference is not in the choice of word. It's in the choice of what we stress. So applying percentages is misleading because it ignores that vital point.