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339.10 another use of may/might: typical occurrences (PEU = Michael Swan's, Practical English Usage. )
In scientific and academic language, may is often used to talk about typical occurrences - things that can happen in certain situations.
With this meaning, might can be used to talk about the past.
1) In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep.
This site says: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-probability.html
We can use could + infinitive to talk about a general possibility in the past (compare with the use of 'can' above):
2) Prices could be high in the sixteenth century.
Q1) Is there any difference between the meanings of "might" in (1) and "could" in (2)?
Q2) If any difference exists between "might" and "could" above, does the same exist between the following?
3) These days, a man may be hanged for stealing a sheep.
4) Prices can be high these days.
In scientific and academic language, may is often used to talk about typical occurrences - things that can happen in certain situations.
With this meaning, might can be used to talk about the past.
1) In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep.
This site says: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-probability.html
We can use could + infinitive to talk about a general possibility in the past (compare with the use of 'can' above):
2) Prices could be high in the sixteenth century.
Q1) Is there any difference between the meanings of "might" in (1) and "could" in (2)?
Q2) If any difference exists between "might" and "could" above, does the same exist between the following?
3) These days, a man may be hanged for stealing a sheep.
4) Prices can be high these days.