MAY / MIGHT AND SHOULD / SHOULDN´T

Raquel

May / Might

may

We can use 'may' to ask for permission. However this is rather formal and not used very often in modern spoken English

• May I borrow your pen?
• May we think about it?
• May I go now?

We use 'may' to suggest something is possible

• It may rain later today.
• I may not have time to do it today.
• Pete may come with us

might

We use 'might' to suggest a small possibility of something. Often we read that 'might' suggests a smaller possibility that 'may', there is in fact little difference and 'might is more usual than 'may' in spoken English.

• She might be at home by now but it's not sure at all.
• It might rain this afternoon.
• I might not have time to go to the shops for you.
• I might not go.

For the past, we use 'might have'.

• He might have tried to call while I was out.
• I might have dropped it in the street.

 Here are some exercises for you to practice:

exercise 1
exercise 2

exercise 3

exercise 4

Should / Shouldn´t

• We use should and shouldn't to give advice or to talk about what we think is right or wrong.
  
• You should means something like I think it is a good idea for you to do it.
  
• You shouldn't means something like I think it is a bad idea for you to do it.
  
• Should is used to express the opinion of a speaker and often follows I think or I don't think.

Examples

You look tired. I think you should take a few days off.

Alice works very long hours. She should to talk to her boss.

- I have an English test tomorrow.
- I shouldn't worry if I were you. You have worked really hard.

- I never have enough money.
- I don't think you should go out so much.


Here are some exercises for you to practice:

exercise 1

exercise 2

exercise 3

exercise 4

exercise 5

exercise 6

 
Exercise. Chose should or shouldn't:

1. You ---shouldshouldn't be so selfish.
   
2. I don't think you ---shouldshouldn't smoke so much.
   
3. You ---shouldshouldn't exercise more.
   
4. I think you ---shouldshouldn't try to speak to her.
   
5. You are overweight. You ---shouldshouldn't go on a diet.
   
6. Where ---shouldshouldn't we park our car?
   
7. You ---shouldshouldn't never speak to your mother like this.
   
8. The kids ---shouldshouldn't spend so much time in front of the TV.
   
9. ---ShouldShouldn't I tell her the truth or should I say nothing?
   
10. I think we ---shouldshouldn't reserve our holiday in advance.