may or might

[blacknomi]

1.We're not sure, but there ____ have been a plane crash earlier today.
(1)may
(2)might
(3)Either could be used here.
Answer: (3)


2.With a bit of luck, there ____ be time to do it.
(1)may
(2)might
(3)Either could be used here.
Answer: (3)


3.There's a good chance it ____ rain this evening. :?:
(1)may
(2)might
(3)Either could be used here.
Answer: (1)


I think all of the questions above are dealing with levels of certainty. When these two auxiliaries are referring to certainty, both are interchangeable. I don't understand the third one. :wink:

 

[Francois]

1.We're not sure, but there ____ have been a plane crash earlier today.
(1)may
(2)might
(3)Either could be used here.
Answer: (3)

I would say (2) [uncertain situation]

2.With a bit of luck, there ____ be time to do it.
(1)may
(2)might
(3)Either could be used here.
Answer: (3)

I would say (3) too [again, uncertain situation, but possiblity too]

3.There's a good chance it ____ rain this evening. :?:
(1)may
(2)might
(3)Either could be used here.
Answer: (1)

I would say (1) too [possibility]

FRC

 

[MikeNewYork]

1.We're not sure, but there ____ have been a plane crash earlier today.
(1)may
(2)might
(3)Either could be used here.
Answer: (3)


2.With a bit of luck, there ____ be time to do it.
(1)may
(2)might
(3)Either could be used here.
Answer: (3)


3.There's a good chance it ____ rain this evening. :?:
(1)may
(2)might
(3)Either could be used here.
Answer: (1)


I think all of the questions above are dealing with levels of certainty. When these two auxiliaries are referring to certainty, both are interchangeable. I don't understand the third one. :wink:

I agree with you. It is certainly "either" in the first two. The objection to "might" in the last is probably based on having "might" clash with "a good chance". I agree with that, but I would make the same argument with "may". I would say "It may/might rain" or "There's a good chance it will rain".

 

[blacknomi]

Indeed. I think so too. Thanks a bunch.
You just made my day!

 

[MikeNewYork]

Indeed. I think so too. Thanks a bunch.
You just made my day!

I am happy to serve you immigrants from Mars. It is such a lovely planet. 8)

 

[blacknomi]

Indeed. I think so too. Thanks a bunch.
You just made my day!

I am happy to serve you immigrants from Mars. It is such a lovely planet. 8)

You Earthilings have served me well.
It's getting hard to say farewell.

 

[Tdol]

I must say that the NASA photos of Mars didn't make me want to go there. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

I must say that the NASA photos of Mars didn't make me want to go there. ;-)

It's a long trip, and there are no stops on the way.
It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to stay.

:wink:

 

[blacknomi]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[MikeNewYork]

Indeed. I think so too. Thanks a bunch.
You just made my day!

I am happy to serve you immigrants from Mars. It is such a lovely planet. 8)

You Earthilings have served me well.
It's getting hard to say farewell.

Shall I take you to our leader, Red5? :roll:

 

[blacknomi]

I shall not be afraid. 8)

 

[MikeNewYork]

I shall not be afraid. 8)

That's good. Red is a nice man. :wink:

 

[blacknomi]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sure he is a nice webmaster.

 

[MikeNewYork]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sure he is a nice webmaster.

:wink: