might

modal verb

OPAL WOPAL S

/maɪt/

(might not, mightn’t

/ˈmaɪtnt/

)

Idioms

used when showing that something is or was possible（表示可能性）可能
- He might get there in time, but I can't be sure.他有可能准时到达，但我不敢肯定。
- It might not be too late to save the building.现在拯救这座建筑可能还不算晚。
- I know Vicky doesn't like the job, but I mightn't find it too bad.我知道维基不喜欢这工作，但我也许并不觉得它很差。
- The pills might have helped him, if only he'd taken them regularly.他当时要是按时服药，也许可以对他有帮助的。
- He might say that now (= it is true that he does), but he can soon change his mind.他现在也许会那么说，但他很快就会改变主意。
- He might, if he chose, retire and live in luxury for the rest of his days.如果他愿意的话，他可能会退休并过上奢侈的生活。
Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintya2
used as the past tense of may when reporting what somebody has said（may 的过去式，用于间接引语）可能，可以
- He said he might come tomorrow.他说他明天可能来。
- Zheng said she might not stay in the city for long.郑说，她可能不会在城里呆太久。
used to make a polite suggestion（用于有礼貌地提出建议）可以
- You might try calling the help desk.你可以试着给服务台打个电话。
- I thought we might go to the zoo on Saturday.我觉得周六我们可以去动物园。
Topics Suggestions and adviceb2
(British English) used to ask permission politely（用于有礼貌地提出请求）可以
- Might I use your phone?我可以用一下你的电话吗？
- If I might just say something…要是叫我说…
(formal) used to ask for information（用于询问）
- How might the plans be improved upon?这些计划还能怎么改进呢？
- And who might she be?那么她会是谁呢？
used to show that you are annoyed about something that somebody could do or could have done（对某人未做某事表示不满）应该
- I think you might at least offer to help!我认为你至少应该主动提出帮忙吧！
- Honestly, you might have told me!说实话，你事先应该告诉我呀！
used to say that you are not surprised by something（表示不感意外）
- I might have guessed it was you!我猜就是你！
- Her film was full of magical effects, as you might expect.她的电影充满了魔幻效果，如你所料。
used to emphasize that an important point has been made（强调提出了重点）
- ‘And where is the money coming from?’ ‘You might well ask!’“钱又从哪里来呢？”“你这就问到点子上了！”
Grammar Point modal verbs
modal verbs
- The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will and would. Dare, need, have to and used to also share some of the features of modal verbs.
- Modal verbs have only one form. They have no -ing or -ed forms and do not add -s to the 3rd person singular form:
  He can speak three languages.他会说三种语言。
  She will try and visit tomorrow.她明天将设法去参观。
- Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive of another verb without to. The exceptions are ought to, have to and used to:
  You must find a job.你必须找到一份工作。
  You ought to stop smoking.你应当戒烟。
  I used to smoke but I gave up two years ago.我过去抽烟，但两年前就戒了。
- Questions are formed without do/does in the present, or did in the past:
  Can I invite Mary?我可以邀请玛丽吗？
  Should I have invited Mary?我本该邀请玛丽吗？
- Negative sentences are formed with not or the short form -n’t and do not use do/does or did.
You will find more help with how to use modal verbs at the dictionary entries for each verb.

Idioms

may/might (just) as well do something

used to say that something seems the best thing to do in the situation that you are in, although you may not really want to do it做…倒也无妨；只好做（某事）
- If no one else wants it, we might as well give it to him.如果没人要这个，我们不妨给他吧。
used to say that there is no real difference between two things that you might do同样可以做（某事）；不妨
- If you are going to have sugar, you may as well have a bar of chocolate.如果你要吃糖，也可以来一块巧克力。