may as well

Meaning

This phrase is used to suggest doing something because there is no good reason not to, or because there are no better alternatives. It often has a slightly resigned tone, suggesting that while the action isn't perfect, it is the most logical choice under the circumstances.

Examples

• Since we missed the first bus, we may as well walk to the theater.

  Since we missed the first bus, we may as well walk to the theater.

• We're already here, so we may as well look around for a bit.

  We're already here, so we may as well look around for a bit.

• The movie doesn't start for an hour, so we may as well grab a coffee.

  The movie doesn't start for an hour, so we may as well grab a coffee.

• If you're not using the extra ticket, I may as well take it.

  If you're not using the extra ticket, I may as well take it.

• There's nothing good on TV tonight, so I may as well go to bed early.

  There's nothing good on TV tonight, so I may as well go to bed early.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We might as good go home now.

  ✓ We might as well go home now.

  The correct idiom is 'might as well' or 'may as well'. 'As good' is incorrect in this context.

• ✗ Since it's raining, we may as well to stay inside.

  ✓ Since it's raining, we may as well stay inside.

  'May as well' is followed by the bare infinitive (the verb without 'to').

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since the food is already paid for, we ___ eat it.

  💡 There is no reason not to do this.

  Show answer

  may as well

• The hotel won't refund our money, so we ___ stay the night.

  💡 Suggesting the most logical action since we cannot change the situation.

  Show answer

  may as well