Might vs. Will — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 16, 2023
"Might" conveys possibility or probability, reflecting uncertainty; "Will" expresses future certainty or intention, showing determination.
Difference Between Might and Will
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Might" and "Will" serve as auxiliary verbs in English but convey different levels of certainty and intention. "Might" implies a lower probability and is often used to express a possibility or a conditional outcome, reflecting uncertainty. In contrast, "Will" is used to indicate a higher degree of certainty, expressing future intentions, predictions, or plans.
When utilizing "Might," the speaker is often less sure about the occurrence of an action or is considering various potential outcomes. "Will," conversely, reflects a sense of determination and is employed when the speaker is confident about the future occurrence of an action or event, often denoting a decision or commitment made by the speaker.
"Might" can also be used to suggest potential but not guaranteed outcomes, allowing for the presentation of hypothetical situations or unfulfilled conditions. On the other hand, "Will" commonly depicts a predetermined path or a decided course of action, reflecting the speaker's intention and often eliminating alternate possibilities.
In interrogative forms, "Might" typically poses questions about the likelihood or possibility of an event or action occurring, maintaining an open and undecided tone. However, "Will" formulates questions that are more direct and expectant of a conclusive answer, often seeking confirmation or information about future actions or events.
"Might" can also serve to convey politeness or a softer tone when making requests or suggestions, mitigating the forcefulness of a statement. In contrast, "Will" can be more commanding and assertive, expressing firmness in requests or instructions and reflecting a clear expectation of compliance or fulfillment.
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Comparison Chart
Usage
Used to express possibility or probability.
Used to express future certainty or intention.
Certainty Level
Implies lower probability and uncertainty.
Implies higher degree of certainty and determination.
Tone
More tentative, soft, or polite.
More assertive, commanding, or decisive.
Interrogative Use
Poses questions about likelihood or possibility.
Formulates direct questions seeking confirmation.
Expresses
Conditional and potential outcomes.
Predetermined paths or decided courses of action.
Compare with Definitions
Might
Utilized to express permission.
You might go out once you finish your homework.
Will
Used to express a future intention or prediction.
I will call you tomorrow.
Might
Used to indicate a possibility or probability.
It might rain later today.
Will
Conveys determination or insistence.
I will finish this book tonight no matter what.
Might
Employed to indicate a suggestion or mild request.
You might want to check the document before submitting.
Will
The mental faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action
Championed freedom of will against a doctrine of predetermination.
Might
Can denote a condition, often in hypothetical situations.
If you studied, you might pass the exam.
Will
Diligent purposefulness; determination
An athlete with the will to win.
Might
Used to express a wish or hope.
I might wish to join the party.
Will
Self-control; self-discipline
Lacked the will to overcome the addiction.
Might
Past of may
Will
A desire, purpose, or determination, especially of one in authority
It is the sovereign's will that the prisoner be spared.
Might
Used tentatively to ask permission or to express a polite request
Might I just ask one question?
You might just call me Jane, if you don't mind
Will
Deliberate intention or wish
Let it be known that I took this course of action against my will.
Might
Used to express possibility or make a suggestion
This might be true
You might try pain relievers
Will
Free discretion; inclination or pleasure
Wandered about, guided only by will.
Might
Great and impressive power or strength, especially of a nation, large organization, or natural force
A convincing display of military might
Will
Bearing or attitude toward others; disposition
Full of good will.
Might
Great power or force, as of a nation or army.
Will
A legal declaration of how a person wishes their personal possessions to be disposed of after death.
Might
Physical strength
Push with all your might!.
Will
A legally executed document containing this declaration.
Might
Power, strength, force or influence held by a person or group.
Will
To decide on or intend
He can finish the race if he wills it.
Might
(uncountable) Physical strength or force.
He pushed with all his might, but still it would not move.
Will
To yearn for; desire
“She makes you will your own destruction” (George Bernard Shaw).
Might
(uncountable) The ability to do something.
Will
To decree, dictate, or order
Believed that the outcome was willed by the gods.
Might
(obsolete) Mighty; powerful.
Will
To induce or try to induce by sheer force of will
We willed the sun to come out.
Might
(obsolete) Possible.
Will
To grant in a legal will; bequeath
Willed his fortune to charity.
Might
(auxiliary) Used to indicate conditional or possible actions.
I might go to the party, but I haven't decided yet.
Will
To order to direct in a legal will
She willed that her money be given to charity.
Might
(auxiliary) may Used to indicate permission in past tense.
He asked me if he might go to the party, but I haven't decided yet.
Will
To exercise the will.
Might
(auxiliary) may Used to indicate possibility in past tense.
I thought that I might go the next day.
Will
To make a choice; choose
Do as you will.
Might
Used to indicate a desired past action that was not done.
Hey man, you might have warned me about the thunderstorm.
Will
To wish; desire
Do what you will. Sit here if you will. See Usage Note at shall.
Might
(auxiliary) Even though.
I might be in a wheelchair, but I still want to be treated as a lady.
Will
(auxiliary) Used to express the future tense, sometimes with some implication of volition when used in the first person. Compare shall.
One of our salesmen will visit you tomorrow.
I will pass this exam.
Might
(auxiliary) Used in polite requests for permission
Might I take the last biscuit?
Will
(auxiliary) To be able to, to have the capacity to.
Unfortunately, only one of these gloves will actually fit over my hand.
Might
Used to express certainty.
Yeah, I think we might need something a bit sturdier.
Will
(auxiliary) Expressing a present tense with some conditional or subjective weakening: "will turn out to", "must by inference".
He will be home by now. He always gets home before 6 o'clock.
I can't find my umbrella. I will have forgotten it home this morning.
Might
Force or power of any kind, whether of body or mind; energy or intensity of purpose, feeling, or action; means or resources to effect an object; strength; force; power; ability; capacity.
What so strong,But wanting rest, will also want of might?
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Will
(auxiliary) To habitually do (a given action).
Boys will be boys.
Might
Physical strength
Will
(auxiliary) To choose or agree to (do something); used to express intention but without any temporal connotations (+ bare infinitive), often in questions and negation.
Will you marry me?
I’ve told him three times, but he won’t take his medicine.
Will
To wish, desire (something).
Do what you will.
Will
To wish or desire (that something happen); to intend (that).
Will
(archaic) Implying will go.
Will
To instruct (that something be done) in one's will.
Will
(transitive) To bequeath (something) to someone in one's will (legal document).
He willed his stamp collection to the local museum.
Will
(transitive) To exert one's force of will (intention) in order to compel, or attempt to compel, something to happen or someone to do something.
All the fans were willing their team to win the game.
Will
One's independent faculty of choice; the ability to be able to exercise one's choice or intention.
Of course, man's will is often regulated by his reason.
Will
The act of choosing to do something; a person’s conscious intent or volition.
Most creatures have a will to live.
Will
One's intention or decision; someone's orders or commands.
Eventually I submitted to my parents' will.
Will
Firmity of purpose, fixity of intent
Will
(law) A formal declaration of one's intent concerning the disposal of one's property and holdings after death; the legal document stating such wishes.
Will
(archaic) That which is desired; one's wish.
Will
(archaic) Desire, longing. (Now generally merged with later senses.)
He felt a great will to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Will
The power of choosing; the faculty or endowment of the soul by which it is capable of choosing; the faculty or power of the mind by which we decide to do or not to do; the power or faculty of preferring or selecting one of two or more objects.
It is necessary to form a distinct notion of what is meant by the word "volition" in order to understand the import of the word will, for this last word expresses the power of mind of which "volition" is the act.
Will is an ambiguous word, being sometimes put for the faculty of willing; sometimes for the act of that faculty, besides [having] other meanings. But "volition" always signifies the act of willing, and nothing else.
Appetite is the will's solicitor, and the will is appetite's controller; what we covet according to the one, by the other we often reject.
The will is plainly that by which the mind chooses anything.
Will
The choice which is made; a determination or preference which results from the act or exercise of the power of choice; a volition.
The word "will," however, is not always used in this its proper acceptation, but is frequently substituted for "volition", as when I say that my hand mover in obedience to my will.
Will
The choice or determination of one who has authority; a decree; a command; discretionary pleasure.
Thy will be done.
Our prayers should be according to the will of God.
Will
Strong wish or inclination; desire; purpose.
My poverty, but not my will, consents; . . . Put this in any liquid thing you will,And drink it off.
Will
That which is strongly wished or desired.
What's your will, good friar?
The mariner hath his will.
Will
Arbitrary disposal; power to control, dispose, or determine.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies.
Will
The legal declaration of a person's mind as to the manner in which he would have his property or estate disposed of after his death; the written instrument, legally executed, by which a man makes disposition of his estate, to take effect after his death; testament; devise. See the Note under Testament, 1.
Will
To wish; to desire; to incline to have.
A wife as of herself no thing ne sholde [should]Wille in effect, but as her husband wolde [would].
Caleb said unto her, What will thou ?
They would none of my counsel.
Will
As an auxiliary, will is used to denote futurity dependent on the verb. Thus, in first person, "I will" denotes willingness, consent, promise; and when "will" is emphasized, it denotes determination or fixed purpose; as, I will go if you wish; I will go at all hazards. In the second and third persons, the idea of distinct volition, wish, or purpose is evanescent, and simple certainty is appropriately expressed; as, "You will go," or "He will go," describes a future event as a fact only. To emphasize will denotes (according to the tone or context) certain futurity or fixed determination.
I am able to devote as much time and attention to other subjects as I will [shall] be under the necessity of doing next winter.
A countryman, telling us what he had seen, remarked that if the conflagration went on, as it was doing, we would [should] have, as our next season's employment, the Old Town of Edinburgh to rebuild.
I feel assured that I will [shall] not have the misfortune to find conflicting views held by one so enlightened as your excellency.
Will
To be willing; to be inclined or disposed; to be pleased; to wish; to desire.
And behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean.
Will
To form a distinct volition of; to determine by an act of choice; to ordain; to decree.
By all law and reason, that which the Parliament will not, is no more established in this kingdom.
Two things he [God] willeth, that we should be good, and that we should be happy.
Will
To enjoin or command, as that which is determined by an act of volition; to direct; to order.
They willed me say so, madam.
Send for music,And will the cooks to use their best of cunningTo please the palate.
As you go, will the lord mayor . . . To attend our further pleasure presently.
Will
To give or direct the disposal of by testament; to bequeath; to devise; as, to will one's estate to a child; also, to order or direct by testament; as, he willed that his nephew should have his watch.
Will
To exercise an act of volition; to choose; to decide; to determine; to decree.
At Winchester he lies, so himself willed.
He that shall turn his thoughts inward upon what passes in his own mind when he wills.
I contend for liberty as it signifies a power in man to do as he wills or pleases.
Will
The capability of conscious choice and decision and intention;
The exercise of their volition we construe as revolt
Will
A fixed and persistent intent or purpose;
Where there's a will there's a way
Will
A legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die
Will
Decree or ordain;
God wills our existence
Will
Have in mind;
I will take the exam tomorrow
Will
Determine by choice;
This action was willed and intended
Will
Leave or give by will after one's death;
My aunt bequeathed me all her jewelry
My grandfather left me his entire estate
Will
Indicates a willingness to perform an action.
I will help you with your luggage.
Will
Expresses a command or instruction.
You will complete your assignment on time.
Will
Used to form the future tense of verbs.
She will travel to Paris next week.
Common Curiosities
Can you give an example of Might in a sentence?
"We might go to the beach if the weather is good."
Is Might used to convey high probability?
No, Might is used to convey lower probability and possibility.
What does Will express?
Will expresses future certainty, intention, or determination.
What does Might indicate?
Might indicates a possibility or probability, reflecting uncertainty.
How is Will used in a sentence?
"She will start her new job next Monday."
What does Will seek when used in interrogative forms?
Will seeks confirmation or more information about future actions or events in interrogative forms.
Can Might be used to express a softer tone?
Yes, Might can convey a softer or more tentative tone.
Does Will show a higher level of certainty?
Yes, Will implies a higher level of certainty and determination.
How is Might used in interrogative forms?
In interrogative forms, Might poses questions about the likelihood or possibility.
Can Might be used for making polite requests?
Yes, Might is often used to make polite requests or suggestions.
Can Might express unfulfilled conditions?
Yes, Might can be used to express hypothetical situations or unfulfilled conditions.
Is Will assertive in tone?
Yes, Will can have a more assertive and commanding tone.
How do Might and Will differ in expressing outcomes?
While Might expresses conditional and potential outcomes, Will denotes more definitive and decided outcomes.
Does Will depict a decided course of action?
Yes, Will often depicts a predetermined path or a decided course of action.
Can Will be used to express firmness in requests?
Absolutely, Will can be used to express firmness and clear expectations in requests or instructions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
