might as well

You accept or suggest an action because there is little reason not to do it.

• We might as well stay here.
• Since you are awake, you might as well help me.
• There is nothing else to do, so I might as well read.

How to use it: might as well + verb (We might as well walk while we wait.)

Similar words: may as well

Common phrases: might as well stay, might as well try

One action would have much the same effect as another, often more extreme action.

• You might as well talk to a wall.
• With those fees, we might as well throw our money away.
• If nobody listens, I might as well stay silent.

How to use it: might as well + verb (Asking him for help? You might as well ask a stone.)

Common phrases: might as well shout, might as well quit

Doing something is acceptable or sensible because there is no reason not to do it.

• You might as well come with us.
• The meeting is over, so we might as well go home.
• There is a spare seat; you might as well sit down.

How to use it: might as well + verb (Your work is finished, so you might as well leave.)

Similar words: may as well

Common phrases: might as well leave, might as well join

Something is not actually true, but the real situation has almost the same effect.

• This tiny room might as well be a cupboard.
• He ignored us so completely that we might as well have been invisible.
• Without a signal, my phone might as well be a brick.

How to use it: might as well be something (With no visitors, the museum might as well be closed.); might as well have been something (The road was so wet it might as well have been a river.)

Common phrases: might as well be, might as well have