"If I had not done, I may not be here."

[MeyaN]

"If I had not done, I may not be here."
Shouldn't it be "if I had not done, I would probably not be here."?
Please explain.

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

May is incorrect in the original sentemce.

Sadly, the useful distinction between may and might is fading away. It's extremely common to hear may used as in the quoted sentence. I encourage learners to master the difference, but they shouldn't expect native speakers to respect it.

 

[MeyaN]

But, for instance, "it may have been taken". Here may is used instead of might and this kind of expressions are used by famous writers who are very particular about grammar.
Please give me insights into this.

 

[Matthew Wai]

1. 'It may have been taken if he has spotted it.' ── It is possible that it has been taken.
2. 'It might have been taken if he had spotted it.' ── It was not taken because he did not spot it.

 

[MeyaN]

"May have been taken" was used for past scenarios. I don't know the reason, though.

I think your first sentence is incorrect. I'd humbly invite experts to comment on it and also "may have been"

Thank you.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Emma and Luke may have gone to Istanbul last week - The speaker considers that it is possible that they went.

I think that applies to my first sentence in post #5, where the speaker considers that it is possible that it has been taken.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[emsr2d2]

"I might not be here" doesn't mean the same as "I probably wouldn't be here". The latter indicates a higher level of probability. The former only indicates possibility.

 

[MeyaN]

And, is "I would probably not be here" also correct besides "I probably wouldn't be here"?. Can the placement of such adverbs be anywhere?
Thank you.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I would probably put the adverb after the modal verb.