PE-43: may, might, could: Possibility
How sure are you? The modals that sit at 50% — plus the maybe / may be trap that catches almost every learner.
PE-43: may, might, could: Possibility
English does not only say what happens — it says how sure you are that it will. "It will rain" is a promise from the sky. "It might rain" is an honest maybe. These three modals — may, might and could — are how you speak carefully, which is exactly what educated English sounds like.
In this lesson you will learn
- The certainty scale from 100% down to 0%
- may / might / could + base verb for possible futures
- The negatives, and why couldn't is different
- The maybe vs may be trap
1. The certainty scale
100will
It will rain tomorrow. — I'm certain.
70should
It should arrive today. — I expect it.
50may / might / could
It might rain. — Perhaps yes, perhaps no.
0won't
It won't rain. — I'm certain it will not.
Sherbek may come to the party — he hasn't decided yet.
Sherbek bazmga kelishi mumkin — u hali qaror qilmagan.
2. Is there any difference between them?
Honestly, very little. In modern English they are almost interchangeable for possibility. The small shades are these:
may
- Slightly more formal, slightly more likely.
- Also used for permission: May I come in?
might / could
- Slightly less certain, more everyday.
- Could also suggests an option: We could go by taxi.
— What shall we do tonight? — We could watch a film, or we might just go for a walk.
— Bugun kechqurun nima qilamiz? — Kino koʻrsak ham boʻladi, yoki shunchaki sayr qilarmiz.
Could here offers a suggestion, not a doubt.
3. Negatives — and one that behaves differently
may not and might not mean "perhaps not". They are still 50% — just pointing the other way.
Afsona might not come — she has a lot of homework.
Afsona kelmasligi mumkin — uning uy vazifasi koʻp.
4. Talking about right now
Add be + -ing to guess about what is happening at this moment:
Jasur isn't answering. He might be sleeping, or he may be studying.
Jasur javob bermayapti. U uxlayotgan boʻlishi mumkin yoki oʻqiyotgandir.
5. may for permission
May has a second life as the most formal way to ask for or give permission. You will hear it from officials, in announcements, and in polite company.
May I come in? — May I ask you a question? — Students may use the library until six.
Kirsam maylimi? — Bir savol bersam maylimi? — Talabalar kutubxonadan soat oltigacha foydalanishlari mumkin.
Can I…? is the everyday version; May I…? is the respectful one.
6. maybe or may be?
This trips up almost every learner, and the difference is simple once you see it.
maybe — one word, an adverb
Means "perhaps". Usually at the start of the sentence.
Maybe she is at home.
may be — two words, modal + verb
may is the modal, be is the verb.
She may be at home.
7. Common mistakes
It may to rain tomorrow.
It may rain tomorrow.
He mights come later.
He might come later.
Maybe she is at home. — She maybe at home.
She may be at home. / Maybe she is at home.
Do you may help me?
May I help you? / Could you help me?
She couldn't be at home — I'm not sure.
She might not be at home — I'm not sure.
Practice
1 Correct it: Maybe he will comes tomorrow, or he may to come on Friday.
Show answer
Maybe he will come tomorrow, or he may come on Friday.
No -s and no to after a modal.
2 Rewrite with may be: Maybe Afsona is ill.
Show answer
Afsona may be ill.
The is disappears, because be now follows the modal.
3 might not or couldn't: He ___ be in Tashkent — I spoke to him here an hour ago.
Show answer
couldn't — you have proof, so it is impossible, not merely doubtful.
4 Guess about now: The lights are on in their house. (have dinner)
Show answer
They might be having dinner.
Modal + be + -ing guesses about this exact moment.
5 Make the sentence less certain: It will snow tonight.
Show answer
It might snow tonight. (or may / could snow)
You have moved from 100% down to about 50%.
Key words — Kalit soʻzlar
- Possibilityehtimollik
- Certaintyishonchlilik
- Perhaps / maybebalki
- Likelyehtimoli bor
- Impossiblemumkin emas
- To doubtshubhalanmoq
- Suggestiontaklif
- Optionvariant
- Formalrasmiy
- To decideqaror qilmoq
🎯 Remember this
- may / might / could + base verb ≈ 50% certain.
- They are almost interchangeable; may is a little more formal.
- may not / might not = perhaps not · couldn't = impossible.
- Add be + -ing to guess about right now.
- Maybe + full sentence · subject + may be + rest.