Difference Between Might and Might Have

Last Updated : Sep 6, 2022 / By Piyush Yadav / Fact Checked / 4 mins

Might vs Might Have

The main difference between 'might' and 'might have' is that 'might have' consists of two words when is being used by a person in a sentence for a certain event to happen or which has already happened, and on the other hand, the word 'Might' consist of only one word when it is being used in a sentence by a person.

'Might' is a work in the English dictionary that is used to denote that something can happen in the future if a certain thing is done in a particular way, according to the teller.

The word 'Might have' is a set of words from the English dictionary made by adding a participle to the auxiliary word Might. When this word is used in a sentence, it denotes a sense of uncertainty of a situation of happening or non-happening under a certain event.

Comparison Table Between Might and Might Have

Parameters of Comparison	Might	Might Have
Number of words	It consists of the only word in it when it is used in a sentence.	It consists of two words when it is used in a sentence.
Type	It is a modal auxiliary verb that is used in a sentence.	It is a perfect infinitive that is used in a sentence.
Function	It is used in a sentence to suggest a sentence of an event occurring in the future.	It is always used in a sentence to denote a possibility of something of a past event.
Tense	Always used for past tense.	Always used for future tense.
Example	She might be upset.	She might have been upset.

What is Might?

'Might' is a word in the English dictionary that is used to denote that something can happen in the future if a certain thing is done in a particular way, according to the teller.

Sometimes when this word is used in a sentence, it is placed with words like have, etc. This means that it is used with a past participle after it in a sentence. This word is a modal auxiliary word.

Following are some examples where the word 'Might' is used in a sentence-

1. He might go to the party which is going to be held on the 30th of April by Rahul.
2. I might not be invited to the party hosted by Rahul.
3. They might be late for school tomorrow as they are going to be reaching the airport late.

What is Might Have?

The word 'Might have' is a set of words from the English dictionary made by adding a participle to the auxiliary word Might. When this word is used in a sentence, it denotes a sense of uncertainty of a situation of happening or non-happening under a certain event.

This word is used in a sentence to denote a possibility of something by a person of something that occurred in the past which is connected to another condition that is uncertain in the future.

Following are some examples where the word 'Might Have' is used in a sentence-

1. He might have annoyed everyone if he didn't kick himself out of the plan.
2. She might have already taken a shower before we all did.
3. They might have already bought the tickets for the movie tomorrow.

Main Differences Between Might and Might Have

1. 'Might' is always used in a sentence to talk about something which happened in the past, and on the other hand, 'Might have' is always used in a sentence to talk about something which is going to happen in the future.
2. I might go for the picnic as an example of 'Might', and on the other hand, I might have been gone by now, for the picnic is an example of 'Might have'.

Conclusion

The words 'might' and 'might have' are two words from the English dictionary. Many people often get confused between these two words because of the common word that might use in them.

A person must have a basic understanding of the difference between these two words to know in which context these words are supposed to be used in a sentence.

References

1. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2185369
2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=CD2ZAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=might+vs+might+have&ots=nrAZ3T8XZY&sig=IrUM82npQGyjtCMFX-5LMFcX2TU