The word potential suggests the "possibilities" of verb phrases that have the help of certain auxiliaries - may, can, must, might, could, would, and should - in expressing possibility, permission, ability, obligation, or necessity. These auxiliary verbs are often called modal auxiliaries, and the collection of verb phrases the potential mood.

May, can, would, and should need to be used with care. For the difference in meaning between may and can, see the exercises in section 127; for would and should, see page 152.

"May" And "Might" Active Voice

Passive Voice

Exercises

270. Recite synopses of give in both the active and the passive voice, singular and plural number, taking each person in turn.

271. What two forms of the subjunctive of give, in the active voice, are different from the corresponding forms of the indicative? Point out the differences in the passive voice of the two moods, using the same verb.

272. Recite synopses of be in the indicative mood, active voice, singular and plural number, taking each person in turn.

27S. In a similar way, recite synopses of (1) be in the subjunctive mood, (2) see in the indicative and subjunctive moods, in both voices.

274- In the following sentences, insert may, can, must, might, could, should, or would. You can justify the choice of more than one word in some instances. {Should is distinguished in meaning from ought, the latter being the stronger word and implying greater obligation).

1. Two hours' extra study * be enough to complete the lesson.

2. It * all be done much better without their assistance.

3. He told them how he had thought friendship * grow up between the boys.

4. "One * lead a horse to water, Twenty * not make him drink."

5. I * like to receive your answer as soon as possible.

6. More did not expect, however, that Henry VIII ♦ follow all his suggestions.

7. The slaying of the Minotaur * be taken to symbolize the freeing of the Athenians from a tribute paid to the king of Crete.

8. We * not understand the Greeks of historic times without some knowledge of the myths in which they believed.

9. Such an event, it was believed, * foreshadow only the most direful calamities to the State.

10. I wish I * go.

11. It is evident that he * have been mistaken in what he said.

12. Conversational language * not be slangy or slipshod.

13. The steamer * reach port to-morrow at noon.

14. Every evening he * shut himself up in his library with his books. Sometimes he * come out at ten for a few minutes, but usually he * remain at work until midnight.

15. You * not take his book, but you * have the loan of mine.

16. I * like to go if you * only go with me.

17. Napoleon * have beaten Wellington at Waterloo if the French * have delayed the appearance of Blucher.

18. You * be more careful in future if you expect to have your work accepted.

19. Your reading * be smooth.

20. Look through each sentence so carefully that you * discriminate in your reading between the main thought and the subordinate thought.

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275. Make a list of the verbs in section 95 that cannot be used in the passive voice, and be prepared to give the reasons for your selection.

276. Write out the third person singular, all tenses, active and passive voice, of the verb bring.

277. Write out the perfect tenses (see pp. 157-158), active voice, of the verb choose.

278. Select some verb from section 95 that may be used in both the active and the passive voice, and conjugate it in full in the indicative mood (a) in the active voice, (b) in the passive voice.

279. Conjugate in full in the subjunctive mood, active voice, the verb selected in the preceding exercise.