‘May’ and ‘might’ for concession

We use ‘may’ and ‘might’ for concession. This means that they add the meaning of ‘although’ to the

sentence. This is a slightly strange use of modal verbs!

Here, ‘may’ and ‘might’ are talking about something that is definitely true.

• She may be rich but she’s not happy (= although she is rich, she’s not happy).

• London might be busy but there are lots of peaceful parks (= although London is busy, there

are lots of peaceful parks).

• He might be clever but he isn't very good with people (= although he is clever, he isn't very

good with people).

Let's review! Make sentences using 'might' for concession.

1. Although she is here, she isn't listening.

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2. Although it is cold, it's still a good day for a walk.

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3. Although they are tired, they can't go to sleep yet.

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4. Although you are a teacher, you don't know everything.

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5. Although he is fit, he couldn't run 10 km.

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6. Although we are on the way, we're still not going to be on time.

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7. Although the hotel is expensive, it's still not very good.

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8. Although she is a student, she still seems to have a lot of money.

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9. Although this country is beautiful, I still don't want to live here.

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10. Although he is good at maths, he can't calculate his tax!

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Answers

1. She might be here but she isn't listening.

2. It might be cold but it's still a good day for a walk.

3. They might be tired but they can't go to sleep yet.

4. You might be a teacher but you don't know everything.

5. He might be fit but he couldn't run 10 km.

6. We might be on the way but we're still not going to be on time.

7. The hotel might be expensive but it's still not very good.

8. She might be a student but she still seems to have a lot of money.

9. This country might be beautiful but I still don't want to live here.

10. He might be good at maths but he can't calculate his tax!