Would vs. Might — What's the Difference?

"Would" is used to talk about possible or imagined situations, often as a conditional verb to indicate actions dependent on certain conditions. For example, "I would go if I had the time" shows an action that hinges on a condition. "Might," on the other hand, conveys possibility or uncertainty about an action or event, suggesting a lower likelihood. For instance, "I might go to the party" indicates that attending the party is uncertain and not guaranteed.

In terms of politeness and requests, "would" often appears in polite requests or offers, as in "Would you like some help?" whereas "might" isn't typically used in this manner. "Would" can also be used to describe habitual actions in the past, like "When I was young, I would visit my grandparents every summer," indicating a repeated action. "Might" does not serve this purpose and is focused on potential actions or situations.

When expressing hypothetical scenarios, "would" is more definite, such as in "I would travel the world if I won the lottery," indicating a clear intention if the condition is met. "Might" in this context introduces more uncertainty: "I might travel the world if I won the lottery," leaving it less certain whether the action will occur.

In direct and indirect speech, "would" can follow verbs like "said" or "thought" to indicate a future-in-the-past perspective, e.g., "He said he would come." Conversely, "might" indicates a less certain perspective: "He said he might come."