The misheard past: unraveling the "might of" confusion

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 30/09/2024, 22:40

English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Grammar error, specifically a homophonic or misinterpretation error.

Why do people make this mistake?

People often make this error because "might of" is pronounced similarly to the contraction "might've" (short for "might have"), leading to confusion in writing.

What is correct?

The correct expression is "might have," which is used to indicate possibility or potentiality in the past or hypothetical situations.

Examples of correct usage

She might have gone to the store.
They might have known the answer.
I might have forgotten to lock the door.