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Topic: Can somebody explain the difference between "may" and "might"?

Anonymous b93c5d9d9367233b53f8ac997f109ed7 started this discussion 3 months (2008-09-04 16:28:19 UTC) ago:

This is one of the most difficult parts of English to learn. At least for me.

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Anonymous 4f9d29bab33438d6649f465fe7d75334 replied with this 3 months (2008-09-04 16:33:19 UTC) ago, 5 minutes later (#57,426):

They are synonymous. Although, nowadays, people use 'might' more often. 'May' will possibly become archaic soon.

Anonymous 817df0b337285755e18b768addc6b079 replied with this 3 months (2008-09-04 16:37:54 UTC) ago, 5 minutes later (#57,427):

@57,426

wrong.
"may" implies the request for permission. do you recall the old game "mother, may i"? example:
a)may i go to the liquor store and shoot the manager? → No! that would (note: NOT "might be") be wrong.
b)might i go to the liquor store and shoot the manager? → I have no idea. but i do not recommend it.

Anonymous b9340995254862acec09cf6c6c907170 replied with this 3 months (2008-09-04 16:41:00 UTC) ago, 3 minutes later (#57,429):

@57,427

At my old job I'd often have to say "Okay, now you two may go." Once this girl smirked at me and said in this way-too-haughty tone "Oh, mother may I?"

No, bitch. I'm acknowledging the fact that you could have gone whenever you wanted, but now you may go.

God that pissed me off.

Anonymous b0fb4197916710a261d203247d875985 replied with this 3 months (2008-09-04 18:08:01 UTC) ago, 1 hour later (#57,443):

@57,427

Hey thank you. I'm not OP, but I wondered about the difference aswell.