may和might (might为may的过去式)的基本用法

(1)表示允许或许可，否定用mustn’t, 表禁止。如： ---- May we swim in this lake? ---- No, you mustn't. It's too dangerous. 肯定可以用比较婉转的说法进行回答。如： ---- May I use this dictionary? ---- Yes, please. /---- Certainly. / Yes, you can. (2)在表示请求、许可时，用might比may 语气更婉转些, 如： May I have a look at your new computer? May I…?在文体上较正式，较客气，日常口语中常用Can I…? (3)may或 might都可以表示可能性，表示"或许"、"可能"之意，如果用might表示可能性，则语气更加不肯定，如：They  may (might) be in the library now . He is absent. He may/ might be ill. (4)May 用于祈使句，表示祝愿。如： May you have a happy life. May you succeed. 比较wish you a happy new year. Wish you success.