May and might 📕

Possibility: maybe

May and might both mean "maybe" or "it is possible".

It might rain later.

She may be at home.

I might not come to the party.

Might often sounds a little less sure than may, but in everyday English the difference is small.

Permission: may (formal)

May I come in?

You may leave now.

In everyday English, people usually say can: Can I come in?

Maybe or may be?

Maybe (one word) is an adverb. May be (two words) is a verb.

Maybe he is sick.

He may be sick.

✗ May be I will come.

✓ Maybe I will come.

✗ It might to snow.

✓ It might snow.