Would vs. Might — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Would and Might
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Compare with Definitions
Would
Past of will, in various senses
The windows would not close
He said he would be away for a couple of days
She wouldn't leave
Might
Past of may
Would
(expressing the conditional mood) indicating the consequence of an imagined event or situation
He would lose his job if he were identified
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
Would
Expressing a desire or inclination
I would love to work in America
Would you like some water?
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Might
Used to express possibility or make a suggestion
This might be true
You might try pain relievers
Would
Expressing a polite request
Would you pour the wine, please?
Might
Great and impressive power or strength, especially of a nation, large organization, or natural force
A convincing display of military might
Would
Expressing a conjecture, opinion, or hope
I would imagine that they're home by now
I guess some people would consider it brutal
I would have to agree
Might
Great power or force, as of a nation or army.
Would
Used to make a comment about behaviour that is typical
They would say that, wouldn't they?
Might
Physical strength
Push with all your might!.
Would
Expressing a wish or regret
Would that he had lived to finish it
Might
Power, strength, force or influence held by a person or group.
Would
Past tense of will; usually followed by a bare infinitive.
Might
(uncountable) Physical strength or force.
He pushed with all his might, but still it would not move.
Would
Used to form the "anterior future", or "future in the past", indicating a futurity relative to a past time.
On my first day at University, I met the woman who would become my wife.
Might
(uncountable) The ability to do something.
Would
Used to; was or were habitually accustomed to; indicating an action in the past that happened repeatedly or commonly.
When we were younger, we would cycle out to the beach most summer Sundays.
Might
(obsolete) Mighty; powerful.
Would
Was or were determined to; indicating someone's insistence upon doing something.
I asked her to stay in with me, but she would go out.
Might
(obsolete) Possible.
Would
Could naturally have been expected to (given the tendencies of someone's character etc.).
He denied it, but then he would, wouldn't he?
Might
(auxiliary) Used to indicate conditional or possible actions.
I might go to the party, but I haven't decided yet.
Would
(archaic) Wanted to.
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.
Would
(archaic) Used with ellipsis of the infinitive verb, or postponement to a relative clause, in various senses.
Might
(auxiliary) may Used to indicate possibility in past tense.
I thought that I might go the next day.
Would
(obsolete) Wished, desired (something).
Might
Used to indicate a desired past action that was not done.
Hey man, you might have warned me about the thunderstorm.
Would
A modal verb, the subjunctive of will; usually followed by a bare infinitive.
Might
(auxiliary) Even though.
I might be in a wheelchair, but I still want to be treated as a lady.
Would
Used as the auxiliary of the simple conditional modality, indicating a state or action that is conditional on another.
If I won the lottery, I would give half the money to charity.
Might
(auxiliary) Used in polite requests for permission
Might I take the last biscuit?
Would
Without explicit condition, or with loose or vague implied condition, indicating a hypothetical or imagined state or action.
I would love to come and visit.
Look at that yummy cake! I would eat that all up!
Might
Used to express certainty.
Yeah, I think we might need something a bit sturdier.
Would
Suggesting conditionality or potentiality in order to express a sense of politeness, tentativeness, indirectness, hesitancy, uncertainty, etc.
I would ask you all to sit down.
I would imagine that they have already left.
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.
Would
Used to express what the speaker would do in another person's situation, as a means of giving a suggestion or recommendation.
It's disgraceful the way that they've treated you. I would write and complain.
Might
Physical strength
Would
Used to express the speaker's belief or assumption.
He's very security-conscious, so he would have remembered to lock the door.
They would be arriving in London round about now.
Would
Used interrogatively to express a polite request; are (you) willing to …?
Would you pass the salt, please?
Would
Might wish (+ verb in past subjunctive); often used in the first person (with or without that) in the sense of "if only".
Would
Might desire; wish (something).
Would
Something that would happen, or would be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.
Would
Commonly used as an auxiliary verb, either in the past tense or in the conditional or optative present. See 2d & 3d Will.
Right as our Lord hath would.
Would
See 2d Weld.
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