May/might have been

[Banglardon]

What's the difference between may and might in the following sentences? I found out many websites that say both are interchangeable in many context. Can you please explain?


1- He may/might have been sleeping when I called him.

2- I haven't received your letter. It may/might have got lost in the post.

3- He did not call me. He may/might have forgot.


4- You were stupid to fight with him. He may/might have killed you.

5- When he called me I may/might have been in the hospital.

 

[emsr2d2]

What's the difference between may and might in the following sentences? I found [STRIKE]out[/STRIKE] many websites that say [STRIKE]both[/STRIKE] they are interchangeable in many contexts. Can you please explain?


1. He may/might have been sleeping when I called him.

2. I haven't received your letter. It may/might have got lost in the post.

3. He did not call me. He may/might have forgotten.

4. You were stupid to fight with him. He may/might have killed you.

5. When he called me, I may/might have been in the hospital.

These days, you'll hear many native speakers use them interchangeably. I'd use "might" in sentences 1, 2, 3 and 5. In sentence 4, I'd use neither - I'd use "could".

Please note my corrections in the quote box.

 

[GoesStation]

Older people use might to express a past possibility. Younger ones have largely lost the distinction.