Episode 13: It Might Be Dangerous

might/may/could: possibility — Lewis and Clark, 1804 (B1-B2)

Grammar Box

Meaning: “Might,” “may,” and “could” express possibility or uncertainty—when something is possible but not certain, typically around 30-50% probability.

Form: might/may/could + base verb; might/may/could be + adjective/noun

Example 1: “It might rain later—the sky looks cloudy.” (possible but uncertain)

Example 2: “She may be late. Traffic is usually heavy.” (acknowledging possibility)

Common mistake: Wrong: “It might is dangerous.” Better: “It might be dangerous.” (modal + base verb)

The Challenge

Luna planned a hiking trip but saw dark clouds forming. “It will rain,” she said, canceling her plans. Professor Wisdom appeared thoughtfully. “Are you certain it will rain, or is rain merely possible?” Luna looked at the clouds again, realizing she was treating possibility as certainty. The watch glowed softly, taking them to an unexplored wilderness where every step forward meant navigating countless possibilities.

The Journey

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark stood at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers in 1804, staring westward into territory no American explorer had ever mapped. President Thomas Jefferson had commissioned them to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean, but they were navigating through complete uncertainty. Every decision required weighing possibilities without the luxury of certainty.

“The maps might be wrong,” Lewis said, examining the crude sketches provided by fur traders who had never traveled this far west themselves. “The river could split into multiple branches ahead, or it may continue as one strong current.” Each “might” and “could” acknowledged the vast unknown they faced. They couldn’t say “the river will” or “must” because they simply didn’t know.

Their Native American guide Sacagawea offered valuable insights, but even she admitted uncertainty. “The Shoshone people may be near the mountains,” she told them, “but they could have moved to different hunting grounds by now. The weather might turn severe before we reach them.” Her language reflected respect for the unpredictability of the wilderness and the limits of human knowledge.

Clark documented these uncertainties in his journal: “We may encounter hostile tribes, or they might prove friendly. The mountain pass could be navigable, or it may be blocked by snow.” This wasn’t pessimism but realistic acknowledgment that multiple outcomes remained possible. Unlike certainty expressed by “will” or “must,” these possibilities required preparation for various scenarios.

The smell of pine and river water surrounded them, while the distant mountains loomed with unknown challenges. They might contain the route to the Pacific, or they could prove impassable. The expedition might succeed brilliantly, or it may end in disaster. Every morning brought new possibilities, and their survival depended on respecting uncertainty rather than pretending to certainty they didn’t possess.

“We could reach the ocean by winter,” Lewis wrote to Jefferson, “or we may need another year. The journey might take longer than expected.” His careful language reflected understanding that exploring the unknown meant living with possibility rather than certainty.

The Deep Dive

“Might,” “may,” and “could” express possibility with roughly equal meaning in modern English—all suggest something is possible but uncertain, typically around 30-50% probability. “It might rain,” “It may rain,” and “It could rain” are interchangeable in most contexts, though “might” is slightly more common in everyday speech. All three are weaker than “will” (certain future) or “must” (logical certainty), but stronger than “couldn’t possibly” (impossibility).

The key is understanding when to use possibility modals versus certainty modals. Use “might/may/could” when you’re genuinely uncertain and want to acknowledge multiple possible outcomes. Use “will” when you’re making predictions or stating plans. Use “must” when evidence strongly supports a conclusion. Compare: “She might be home” (I don’t know), “She’ll be home soon” (I expect this), “She must be home—her car is there” (logical deduction).

Don’t confuse “may” for possibility with “may” for permission (“You may leave now”), though context usually clarifies. Also, “could” for possibility differs from “could” for past ability (“I could swim when I was young”) or polite requests (“Could you help?”). Finally, avoid “might not” for impossibility—it only means “possibly not”: “She might not come” means maybe she won’t, while “She can’t come” means it’s impossible for her to come.

More Examples

History: “The Titanic’s crew thought they might avoid the iceberg, but the ship could have been doomed already.” (acknowledging uncertainty)

Science: “This treatment may cure the disease, but it could also have side effects we haven’t discovered.” (scientific uncertainty)

Everyday: “I might go to the party tonight, or I may just stay home—I haven’t decided.” (personal uncertainty)

Formal: “The proposed policy could improve efficiency, though it may create unforeseen complications.” (professional hedging)

Informal: “We might grab dinner later. Could be fun!” (casual possibility)

Contrast: “It will rain” (certain prediction) vs “It might rain” (possible but uncertain) vs “It must rain soon—look at those clouds” (logical deduction)

Practice & Reflection

Exercises:

1. Fill in the blank: I’m not sure, but she __ (might/must) be the new teacher.

2. Correct the mistake: “The answer could is correct, but I need to check.”

3. Choose and explain: Which shows possibility rather than certainty?
   a) “It will be expensive.”
   b) “It might be expensive.”

4. Rewrite: Change certainty to possibility: “The meeting will be canceled tomorrow.”

5. Compare: Explain the difference in certainty: “You must be tired” vs “You might be tired.”

6. Your reflection: Think of something uncertain in your life. Write about possibilities using might/may/could.

Answer Key:
1. might (shows uncertainty—not sure enough for “must”)
2. The answer could be correct (could + base verb “be”)
3. (b) — “might” shows uncertainty; “will” shows certainty or strong expectation
4. The meeting might be canceled tomorrow (changes from certain to possible)
5. First shows strong deduction from evidence; second acknowledges possibility without certainty
6. Check: Do your sentences use might/may/could + base verb for genuine uncertainty?

The Lesson

Luna looked at the clouds again with new understanding. “It might rain,” she told Professor Wisdom, “but it also might clear up. I could go hiking with a raincoat prepared.” The Professor nodded approvingly. “Exactly. Lewis and Clark survived by respecting uncertainty—they never pretended to know what they couldn’t know. They said ‘might,’ ‘may,’ and ‘could’ to acknowledge possibilities without claiming certainty. Your grammar now reflects the same wisdom: distinguishing between what’s possible and what’s certain, and preparing for uncertainty rather than avoiding it.”