might not come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might not come" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is uncertain or unlikely to happen. For example: "I wanted to attend the event, but I might not come if the weather is bad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It might not come at Real Madrid.

The New York Times - Sports

"It might not come in practice.

The New York Times - Sports

It just might not come from Brody.

The New York Times - Arts

It might not come again.

The New Yorker

"Another chance might not come again.

The Guardian

The opportunity might not come around again.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

She'd been worried that I might not come today.

Los Angeles Times

Note that the pattern might not come out as perfectly as you would like.

WikiHow

Knowing that you might not come first.

Huffington Post

KIT: Whereas a traveler might not come back at all?

Huffington Post

We told the girl that this chance might not come again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "might not come" when expressing a possibility that something will not happen or arrive. It's suitable for situations where the outcome is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "might not come" when you are certain about the outcome. Use stronger language like "will not come" to express certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might not come" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or uncertainty. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is uncertain or unlikely to happen. Examples show it used in various contexts to denote potential absence or non-occurrence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "might not come" is a versatile expression used to indicate uncertainty or possibility regarding future events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, general writing, and scientific discourse. While it is common to use it to express tentative predictions, avoid using it when certainty is required. Consider alternatives like "may not arrive" or "might fail to materialize" for varied expression. When using the phrase, remember that it's a simple way to convey uncertainty, and being clear about the level of certainty is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may not arrive

Replaces "come" with "arrive", suggesting a focus on physical arrival or attainment.

may not happen

Simple and direct, focusing on the possibility of an event not occurring.

might not be present

More formal and explicit, indicating a potential absence.

might fail to materialize

More formal, emphasizing the potential non-existence or non-occurrence of something.

might never occur

Emphasizes a strong possibility of non-occurrence.

could not appear

Suggests the absence or non-emergence of someone or something.

might be absent

Focuses on the state of being not present or available.

may prove elusive

Emphasizes the difficulty or unlikelihood of achieving or finding something.

may elude us

Indicates that something might be difficult to obtain or achieve.

may be delayed

Focuses on a potential postponement rather than complete absence.

FAQs

How can I use "might not come" in a sentence?

You can use "might not come" to express uncertainty about a future event, like "I invited him, but he "might not come" because he's busy".

What is a formal alternative to "might not come"?

A more formal alternative could be "may not materialize" or "might fail to appear", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "might not come" and "will not come"?

"Might not come" indicates a possibility that something won't happen, while "will not come" expresses certainty that it won't happen.

When is it appropriate to use "might not come"?

It is appropriate when expressing a potential outcome that is uncertain, and there is a chance the event or person will not arrive or occur.