Might vs Maybe: Difference and Comparison

‘Might’ and ‘Maybe’ are common words used by us in our day-to-day life. We use these words sometimes as a response, to give suggestions, or to hint at the possibility of a situation.

Unknowingly we use these words in the wrong way. One more confusion can occur: Maybe or Maybe, but remember these two words are different parts of speech.

For Example: Maybe that’s true, and that may be true are whole different sentences.

Here we will only look at ‘Might’ and ‘Maybe.’ There is always a situation where we need to pick which word will be appropriate in the sentence and will make the sentence sound polite.

‘Might’ and ‘Maybe’ are words with similar meanings. The question that comes to mind is, “Which to choose?”.

Key Takeaways

1. Might and maybe are two modal verbs that express probability or possibility in different degrees.
2. Might is used to expressing a higher degree of probability or likelihood of an event or action, indicating a greater chance of something happening.
3. It could express a lower degree of probability or likelihood of an event or action, indicating a less definite chance of something happening.

Might vs Maybe

The difference between ‘Might’ and ‘Maybe’ is ‘Might’ is an auxiliary verb, whereas ‘Maybe’ is an adverb. Maybe it states a positive form of the sentence. ‘Might’ is a conditional sentence. ‘Maybe’ specifies what is happening in the present.

‘Might’ is used to express a formal request or to take permission. It is used to propose. This intimates that something may happen or hold in the future or a particular situation, but you cannot be sure. This means the likelihood of something happening in the future is very low. A sentence can never start with might.

‘Maybe’ is a possible statement that holds in the future. It has a possibility to a certain extent. The probability of the event is pretty high. The usage of maybe in the sentence makes it more polite. This can be used as a response to a statement.

Comparison Table

Parameters Of Comparison	Might	Maybe
Parts of speech	Verb	Adverb
Usage	Not at the beginning	At the beginning
Possibility	Low	High
Tone	Occasionally informal	Polite, formal
Numerical	It cannot be used with numbers.	It can be used with numbers.

What is Might?

‘Might’ is the past tense of May. It is used in sentences to express permission, liberty, probability, or possibility.

‘Might’ have different meanings in various sentences.

It is even used to showcase bodily strength or a person’s capability. It refers to a hypothetical or possible event but very unlikely to happen.

This word is less common in American English. The usage of might can vary depending on the sentence. It hints that the probability of something happening is low or smaller.

The use of might cannot be done at the beginning of the sentence. Might in the sentence sounds fine, but it does not make it polite.

The use of might in the sentence is to persuade someone for something with a small irritation level which has become quite old-fashioned nowadays.

This is used to show possibility.

For example,  She might be walking to the office.

A positive form of a sentence.

For Example, He might sell the shop for money.

The negative form of a sentence.

For Example, There might not be anyone in the house.

For Example, The letters might not have been meant for you.

This is used when a person gives a suggestion.

For Example, You might try the pineapple cake.

The above example clearly defines that the usage of might cannot be done at the beginning of the sentence.

What is Maybe?

‘Maybe’ is an adverb. ‘Maybe’ is used in the sentences to show what is happening or to prove something is true.

It is even used to show approximation. The usage of this word makes the sentences friendly.

This can be told when you want to evade giving a clear answer to any question. The equivalents of ‘Maybe’ are perhaps, possibly, mayhaps, peradventure, and many more. 

‘Maybe’ makes a sentence sound polite. ‘Maybe’ can even be utilized as a response to a question when you are partially admitting to the question.

This is used to show the possibility.

For example, She will maybe go to the gym.

For Example: Maybe my mother will drive us to the party.

For Example: Maybe his father favoured boys.

This is used to show uncertainty.

For Example, There are maybes involved in the stock market.

This is used in suggestions.

For Example: Maybe you should take the bus to the office. (suggestion)

‘Maybe’ can be used anywhere in the sentence, as seen in the above examples.

Main Differences Between Might and Maybe

1. ‘Might’ and ‘Maybe’ are different parts of speech in which ‘Might’ is a verb, while ‘Maybe’ is an adverb.
2. ‘Maybe’ can be used at the beginning of the sentence, whereas ‘Might’ cannot be used at the beginning of the sentence.
3. In ‘Maybe,’ the sentence makes it polite on the other hand, ‘Might’ is used to persuade a person with a little bit of irritation.
4. ‘Maybe’ can be used as a response to a question, but ‘Might’ cannot be used as a response.
5. ‘Maybe’ it used in suggestion, whereas ‘Might’ cannot be used in suggestion.

References

1. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110879032.198/html
2. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11712-009-9126-9.pdf