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English 101.3.5
Professor Ambrose Penwose, Kiwi
English 101.3.5
May vs Might
Two words with similar meanings when opting to do something.
Might is said to be the past tense of May, although I fail to see the distinction?
You may do that, or you might do that, although may seems to be more of an approval.
A lot of Might may also give one a sense of power, as in the might of Hercules, whereas a lot of May will only get one closer to June.
Might in the past has been related to a mouse, whereas the only thing even slightly related to May is mayonnaise, or a ship sailing to the colonies, (Mayflower, for those Historically Challenged.)
I asked my students to give me a fore-instance. They replied,
“Fore-instance…Mary May have had a little lamp, that Might have followed her to school one day.”
I’m thinking they got that from a book?
“Well, aren’t you proud of yourselves…doing 2nd grade English Lit in college?”
“Didn’t think we could do it did you?”
“I’m not surprised, actually.”
“Let us do another.”
“Very well but make it more of something we can relate to.”
“You May lecture us tomorrow, and we Might stay awake?”…
We find the first part May be a certainty, while the second part Might be doubtful.”
“Saved by the bell! Get out of my classroom!”
Penwose Out.
By George
NoPo8
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