かもしれない | Grammar

Structure

[verb (plain)] + かもしれない [i-adj] + かもしれない [na-adj] + かもしれない [noun] + かもしれない

Description

かもしれない means "might" or "may": the speaker thinks something is possible but doesn't know. It goes after the plain form, past or non-past, positive or negative. A noun or a な-adjective takes it directly, with no だ.

。

It might rain tomorrow.

。

He might have gone home already.

。

She might not come.

。

That might be a lie.

× 嘘だかもしれない → 嘘かもしれない
× 静かだかもしれない → 静かかもしれない

Polite and casual

The polite form changes only the end: かもしれません. The verb in front stays plain.

。

We might not make it in time.

、。

I might go to Japan next year.

× 行きますかもしれません → 行くかもしれません

In casual speech and in messages, かもしれない is cut to かも.

、。

That might be good.

。

It might be a bit hard.

かもしれない or でしょう

and say the speaker expects something: "probably". かもしれない only says it is possible, with no promise either way.

。

It will probably rain tomorrow.

。

It might rain tomorrow.

Examples

。

It might snow tomorrow.

。

This story might be true.

。

He might be busy.

。

That movie might be boring.

。

I might have taken the wrong road.

。

She might have already gone to bed.

。

I might be free on the weekend.

。

This medicine might not work.

。

That person might be Japanese.

。

I might not make it in time for the train.

。

It might be a little difficult.

、。