Carole,

 

That works for me.  I had overlooked the deontic/epistemic contrast in modals.  Your epistemic reading fits.

 

Herb

 

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carole Hurlbut
Sent: 2008-02-16 11:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: May and might

 

My interpretation deals with the probability involved. May would yield a stronger probability while might would express more doubt.

 

Carole Hurlbut

----- Original Message -----

From: [log in to unmask]">Jane Saral

To: [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]

Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 9:59 AM

Subject: May and might

 

In this morning's Atlanta Journal Costitution is the following head and subhead:

 

Study: Slow decisions hurt help for Marines

Tougher truck may have saved troops

 

I would say that the word might should have been used, since they were not saved.  May seems to me appropriate only if they were saved and one is speculating as to why.

 

Is that a correct assumption?  And could someone explain the differences between the two forms?

 

Jane Saral

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