May As Well vs Might As Well: Which Phrase Is Correct?

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Quick answer: Both “may as well” and “might as well” are grammatically correct and interchangeable in modern English. Use “might as well” for everyday conversation and informal writing; “may as well” works equally well but sounds slightly more formal or traditional.

These two phrases confuse writers because they appear identical in meaning yet use different modal verbs. Most native speakers use them without thinking, but when you’re editing a cover letter or polishing an important email, that split-second hesitation matters. Let’s settle this once and for all.

Quick Comparison Table

Term	Meaning / When to use	Example sentence
May as well	Suggests doing something because there’s no better alternative; slightly more formal or British usage	“The train is delayed an hour, so we may as well grab coffee.”
Might as well	Suggests doing something because there’s no better alternative; more common in American English and casual speech	“The train is delayed an hour, so we might as well grab coffee.”

When to use “may as well”

Use “may as well” when you want to express that an action is reasonable or logical given the circumstances, often with a tone of resignation or practical acceptance. This phrase works perfectly in professional emails, formal documents, and situations where you want to sound polished without being stuffy.

The phrase signals that while the action isn’t necessarily exciting or ideal, it makes sense given the current situation. According to Merriam-Webster, both forms express the idea that “there is no good reason not to” do something.

Here are real-world examples:

• Email to a colleague: “Since the client pushed the meeting to 3 PM, we may as well use this time to finalize the proposal draft.”
• Text message to a friend: “You’re already downtown? You may as well pick up the tickets while you’re there.”
• Resume/Cover letter context (describing a past decision): “With the project deadline moved up, I realized we may as well implement the new system immediately rather than wait.”

I’ve edited hundreds of business communications, and “may as well” appears frequently in professional contexts where the writer wants to sound reasonable and solution-oriented without being overly casual.

When to use “might as well”

Use “might as well” in the exact same situations as “may as well”—the difference is primarily stylistic and regional. “Might as well” dominates in American English, casual conversation, text messages, and informal writing. It’s the phrase most native speakers reach for instinctively.

The slight edge that “might” has over “may” is that it sounds more conversational and less formal. In spoken English, “might as well” is far more common, and it carries the same meaning of pragmatic acceptance or mild resignation.

Real-world usage examples:

• Casual text to a roommate: “The pizza place is closed, so we might as well order Chinese instead.”
• Social media post: “It’s already raining, so I might as well stay home and binge-watch that show.”
• Work Slack message: “The server’s down until tomorrow, so we might as well tackle the backlog of tickets.”

In my experience editing manuscripts and corporate communications, “might as well” appears about three times more frequently than “may as well” in informal contexts. When I’m proofreading a novel or a blog post, “might as well” feels more natural and conversational.

How to remember the difference

Here’s the truth that grammar guides won’t tell you: there is no meaningful difference to remember because these phrases are interchangeable. But if you need a mental shortcut, use this:

“Might = More casual. May = More formal.”

Both words start with “M,” so associate the second letter:

• M-I-G-H-T has an “I” → Informal, In conversation
• M-A-Y has an “A” → Academic, Authoritative, Above casual

Another trick: Think of “may” as the more “proper” modal verb (it’s what you use for permission: “May I leave early?”). When you want to sound slightly more polished or traditional, reach for “may as well.”

However, here’s the editor-level insight that actually matters: consistency within a document is more important than which phrase you choose. If you’ve used “might as well” three times in your essay, don’t suddenly switch to “may as well” in the conclusion. Pick one and stick with it unless you have a specific stylistic reason to vary your language.

Common mistakes and exceptions

Mistake #1: Treating them as different tenses

Some writers incorrectly assume “may as well” refers to present situations while “might as well” refers to hypothetical or past situations. This is wrong. Both work for present, future, and hypothetical scenarios.

• Wrong: “We may as well go now” (present) vs. “We might as well have gone yesterday” (past hypothetical)
• Correct: Both phrases work in both contexts: “We may/might as well go now” AND “We may/might as well have gone yesterday”

Mistake #2: Overthinking regional differences For more, see MIGHT/MAY AS WELL Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster. For more, see MIGHT/MAY AS WELL Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster. For more, see Might.

While “may as well” is technically more common in British English and “might as well” in American English, this distinction has blurred significantly. In my editing work, I see British authors using “might as well” constantly, and American writers using “may as well” in formal contexts. Don’t stress about matching your phrase to your audience’s nationality.

Mistake #3: Confusing with “may/might” for permission or possibility

Remember that “may as well” and “might as well” are fixed idioms. They don’t function like standalone “may” or “might.”

• Permission: “May I borrow your pen?” (correct) vs. “Might I borrow your pen?” (also correct but more formal)
• Possibility: “It may rain tomorrow” vs. “It might rain tomorrow” (both correct, “might” suggests slightly less certainty)
• The idiom: “We may/might as well leave” (both correct, interchangeable)

Exception: Very formal or legal writing

In extremely formal documents—legal contracts, academic dissertations, official government communications—”may as well” might edge out “might as well” simply because “may” is traditionally considered the more formal modal verb. However, even in these contexts, you’re more likely to avoid both phrases entirely in favor of more precise language like “it would be prudent to” or “the logical course is to.”

Mistake #4: Using in negative constructions incorrectly

Both phrases work in negative contexts, but the meaning shifts slightly:

• “We may/might as well not bother” = There’s no point in doing it
• This construction is correct but less common than the affirmative version

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “might as well” more correct than “may as well”?

No. Both are 100% grammatically correct and have been used interchangeably for centuries. Neither is “more correct” than the other.

Can I use both phrases in the same document?

Yes, but it’s better style to pick one and use it consistently unless you’re deliberately varying your language for stylistic reasons. Switching back and forth in adjacent paragraphs looks careless.

Which phrase should I use in a cover letter or resume?

Honestly, avoid both in formal job application materials. Instead of “I might as well mention my volunteer work,” write “I also contributed through volunteer work” or “Additionally, I volunteered.” These phrases can sound too casual or resigned for professional documents where you want to project confidence and intentionality.

Does “may as well” sound old-fashioned or British?

Slightly, yes. “May as well” has a more traditional feel and is somewhat more common in British English, but it’s not archaic or incorrect in American English. If you’re writing for a young, casual audience, “might as well” will feel more natural.

Can I contract these phrases in informal writing?

You’ll sometimes see “might’s well” or “may’s well” in very casual text messages or dialogue, but these contractions are nonstandard and should be avoided in any writing that needs to look professional. Stick with the full phrases.