Modal verbs: possibility

 

We can use modal verbs to talk about possibility or to express uncertainty. The most common modal verb for such cases is ‘might’.

Statements with ‘might’ can refer to past, present, or future possibilities.

 

1. To refer to past possibility, use:

Might + have + Past Participle

(for regular verbs, this is the “-ed” form of the verb. See more in Participles section)

• I can’t find my pen. I might have dropped it earlier.
• We are lost. We might have taken a wrong turn at the river.

 

2. To refer to present possibility, use:

Might + the verb (base form without ‘to’)

• Look at Jack! He might be in a hurry to meet with Catherine.
• The clouds cover the top of the mountain. It might be windy there.

 

3. To refer to future possibility, use:

Might + the verb (base form without ‘to’) + future time marker

• It’s cold outside. It might snow later on.
• Joe might not come to our party next weekend.