The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #118662   Message #3174263
Posted By: GUEST,Songwronger
21-Jun-11 - 11:15 PM
Thread Name: BS: English grammar question
Subject: RE: BS: English grammar question
May vs might.

May is more forceful. You may want to listen to this.

Might is less forceful. You might want to listen to this.

Or so I recall from one of the standard grammar guides. I know that people respond better to suggestions when I use "might." Using "may" seems to make people tense. I think they may be recalling episodes in school where teachers pulled the can/may semantical thing on them. "I'm sure you can go to the bathroom, but the question is may you."

But then I might be wrong, mayn't I?