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may / might / might as well?

English Language & Usage Asked by BeatsMe on August 2, 2020

"You might as well get a taxi from the station. It’ll be quicker than me coming in to get you."

I know may, might, and might as well are quite different. But would it be incorrect (meaningless) if I used "may" or "might" instead of "might as well" in the sentence above?

One Answer

Let's look at all three choices to see what the sentences mean in each case.


"Might as well":

Used to suggest doing something, often when there is nothing better to do. [Cambridge]

Now let's look at the sentences with "might as well":

You might as well get a taxi from the station. It'll be quicker than me coming in to get you.

This essentially means

Get a taxi because it will be faster than me picking you up.


"May":

Used to ask or give permission. [Cambridge]

In our case, we are concerned with "giving" permission.

The sentences with "may" are:

You may get a taxi from the station. It'll be quicker than me coming in to get you.

and it means

I am allowing you to get a taxi because it is faster than me picking you up.


"Might":

Used to express the possibility that something will happen or be done, or that something is true although not very likely. [Cambridge]

The sentences would be:

You might get a taxi from the station. It'll be quicker than me coming in to get you.

and mean

There is a chance that you will get a taxi. If you get one, it will be faster than me picking you up.

The sentence with "might" is unnatural; I would not recommend using "might" in this case.

Correct answer by John B. on August 2, 2020

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