Could vs. Might

By Jaxson

  • Could (verb)

    conditional of can

  • Could (verb)

    Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact).

    “I think he could do it if he really wanted to.”

    “I wish I could fly!”

  • Could (verb)

    Used to politely ask for permission to do something.

    “Could I borrow your coat?”

  • Could (verb)

    Used to politely ask for someone else to do something.

    “Could you proofread this email?”

  • Could (verb)

    Used to show the possibility that something might happen.

    “We could rearrange the time if you like.”

  • Could (noun)

    Something that could happen, or could be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.

  • Might (noun)

    Power, strength, force or influence held by a person or group.

  • Might (noun)

    Physical strength or force.

    “He pushed with all his might, but still it would not move.”

  • Might (noun)

    The ability to do something.

  • Might (adjective)

    Mighty; powerful.

  • Might (adjective)

    Possible.

  • Might (verb)

    Used to indicate conditional or possible actions.

    “I might go to the party, but I haven’t decided yet.”

  • Might (verb)

    Used to indicate permission in past tense.

    “He asked me if he might go to the party, but I haven’t decided yet.”

  • Might (verb)

    Used to indicate possibility in past tense.

    “I thought that I might go the next day.”

  • Might (verb)

    Used to indicate a desired past action that was not done.

    “Hey man, you might have warned me about the thunderstorm”

Wiktionary
  • Could (verb)

    past of can

  • Could (verb)

    used to indicate possibility

    “I would go if I could afford it”

    “they could be right”

  • Could (verb)

    used in making suggestions or polite requests

    “could I use the phone?”

    “you could always ring him up”

  • Could (verb)

    used to indicate annoyance because of something that has not been done

    “they could have told me!”

  • Could (verb)

    used to indicate a strong inclination to do something

    “he irritates me so much that I could scream”

  • Might (verb)

    past of may

  • Might (verb)

    used in reported speech, to express possibility or permission

    “he said he might be late”

  • Might (verb)

    expressing a possibility based on an unfulfilled condition

    “we might have won if we’d played better”

  • Might (verb)

    expressing annoyance about something that someone has not done

    “you might have told me!”

  • Might (verb)

    expressing purpose

    “he avoided social engagements so that he might work”

  • Might (verb)

    used tentatively to ask permission or to express a polite request

    “might I just ask one question?”

    “you might just call me Jane, if you don’t mind”

  • Might (verb)

    asking for information, especially condescendingly

    “and who might you be?”

  • Might (verb)

    used to express possibility or make a suggestion

    “this might be true”

    “you might try pain relievers”

  • Might (noun)

    great and impressive power or strength, especially of a nation, large organization, or natural force

    “a convincing display of military might”

Oxford Dictionary

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