4.225 approval: 'may' and 'might'

'May' and 'might' can also be used to mention an opinion or a way of describing something.

'May' suggests that you approve of the opinion or description. It is more formal than 'can'.

• This, it may be added, greatly strengthened him in his resolve.

'Might' also suggests that you approve of the opinion or description. You use 'might' when you think there is a possibility that the person you are talking to will disagree with you.

• You might say she's entitled to get angry.
• That, one might argue, is not too terrible.