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Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
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 Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:58 am Post subject: might as well |
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1.I've got a few hours to finish the housework before the kids come home so I might as well make hay while the sun shines.
2.I've got a few hours to finish the housework before the kids come home so I might make hay while the sun shines. |
I saw #1 in my dictionary. I think 'might as well' means 'had better' so #1 looks a little awkward to me.
I think that #2 is more correct than #1.
Please tell me if my opinion is right or wrong.
Thanks. |
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:43 am Post subject: |
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#1 is fine and quite common.
It means "There is no reason not to make hay while the sun shines (seize the opportunity) before the kids come come"
If you say, " I might make hay etc.", it means there is a possibility you will do it, or you may not.
The #1 sentence is more positive. |
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Christine123
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
Posts: 90
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:46 am Post subject: |
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| Both #1 and #2 are correct. Your observation that "might as well" means "had better" is correct. You could insert "had better" where "might as well" appears, and it would have the same meaning. In the second sentence "might" indicates possibility. |
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m_prime
Joined: 28 Dec 2008
Posts: 52
Location: Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:38 am Post subject: |
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| You could insert "had better" where "might as well" appears, and it would have the same meaning |
With respect Christine123, I would disagree, I think that Chan-Seuing Lee's dictionary has given him a pretty bad definition. I will try to demonstrate why but if you think I am wrong then please let me know.
'Had better' is, at the least, a very strong suggestion similar to 'should' or 'ought to'. In some contexts it can almost be taken as a weak imperative - something 'had better' be done or there will be negative consequences.
'Might as well' implies an element of choice, with no negative consequences if one choice is made in preference to another. For example 'I am bored, I might as well read a book'. If you decide to watch TV instead it doesn't matter.
Compare the two phrases used in the same sentence.
'I am staving and have no money, I had better get a job tomorrow!'
'I am staving and have no money, I might as well get a job tomorrow!'
Hopefully this makes the difference in meaning clear.
Back to the original question.
| Quote: |
1.I've got a few hours to finish the housework before the kids come home so I might as well make hay while the sun shines.
2.I've got a few hours to finish the housework before the kids come home so I might make hay while the sun shines. |
Basically, I agree with PugachevV's answer.
Originally the meaning of the idiom 'make hay while the sun shines' meant to gather the harvest whilst the weather is good. This is of course very important, so the use of 'had better' - as an imperative - is perfectly valid. It simply means to do something that has to be done now.
''Might as well' make hay as the sun shines' means, as PugachevV says, simply to make the use of a good opportunity.
'Might make hay as the sun shines' is idiomatically incorrect and you should avoid using it. |
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