Writing may can you With Might

For some people, confusion reigns supreme over the use of 'may' and 'might' and about the uses of 'can' and 'could'. Perhaps I should include 'will' and 'would', 'shall' and 'should', but you'll get the picture from the first two pairs.

The problem with 'may' and 'might' comes about because both can (oops!) be used in the present tense, but the word 'might' is also the past tense of 'may'. Using 'might' in the present, as in "I might go to town today" indicates a conditional situation less formal or probable than "I may go to town."

But you can also say, "I hoped I might go to town", all in the past tense, where 'may' is not the right word. This is similar to 'can' and its past tense 'could'. You would not write, "I hoped I can go, but I knew I can't." Just doesn't sound right, yes? You would (oops! again) use 'could' and 'couldn't' in that sentence.

Try out variations of a very basic sentence, substituting the other pairs of verbs, when you find yourself confused over whether you should (oops! thrice) use 'may' or 'might'. I might end this now before I confuse us further. And then again, I might not. But I shall. And I should.