[To the Teacher,—These exercises should be continued for several lessons, for full drill on the forms.]
DEFECTIVE STRONG VERBS.
247. There are several verbs which are lacking in one or more principal parts. They are as follows:—
| PRESENT. | PAST. | PRESENT. | PAST. |
| may | might | [ought] | ought |
| can | could | shall | should |
| [must] | must | will | would |
248. May is used as either indicative or subjunctive, as it has two meanings. It is indicative when it expresses permission, or, as it sometimes does, ability, like the word can: it is subjunctive when it expresses doubt as to the reality of an action, or when it expresses wish, purpose, etc.
Indicative Use: Permission. Ability.
If I may lightly employ the Miltonic figure, "far off his coming shines."—Winier.
A stripling arm might sway
A mass no host could raise.
—Scott.
His superiority none might question.—Channing.
Subjunctive use.