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Common Error in Auxiliary Verbs

                  Use of Auxiliary Verbs  

           These are helping verbs.
(1) May implies permission, doubt or possibility.

     Examples :- It may rain tonight.
                        May I use your pen.
(2) Might is the past form of may but it is does not necessarily represent past time.
     Often it implies more doubt than may.

     Examples :-If the clouds are salted, the rains might come.
(3) Can is used to express ability.

     Examples :-He can do this work.
(4) Could is the past form of  can but it is does not necessarily represent past time.
      Often it implies a more uncertain condition than can.

      Examples :- She could refuse, but she never does.
(5) Should is the past form shall. It is used in sub-ordinate clauses after in case and sometimes after if.

    Examples :- I shall get some money in case brother comes.
                       If you should see Raj, give him my regards.
     It is also used in past sentences with so that and in order that.  
    
     Examples :-He turned the stereo down very low so that he should not disturb him.
Should can also be used in sub-ordinate clauses when we are expressing the idea that something must
be done or is important. The fact is that this happens after verbs like command, order, request, insist,
suggest, advise etc. and after adjectives like important, vital, essential, necessary, eager, anxious, concerned,
etc.

  Examples :- She insisted that the contract should be read aloud.
                     I am anxious that nobody should be hurt.
Should also be used in sub-ordinate clauses in sentences where we express personal reaction to events.
We express our reactions with words like- amazing, interesting, shocked, sorry, normal, natural, it's ashame
etc.

  Examples :-  I am sorry you should think i did it on purpose.
                     I was shocked that she should not have invited Mr.Kapoor.
(6) Must is followed by the infinitive without to.

     Examples :- I must get up at five tomorrow.
Must is used to give strong advice or orders.

     Examples :- I really must stop drinking.
                        You must be here by 8o'clock.
Must is used to say that we are sure about something.

       Examples :- I am in love-- that must be nice.
Must is used after a past reporting verb.

       Examples :- I felt there must be something wrong.
(7) Should and Ought have similar meanings, but ought is used followed by to.
     Ought to has a more objective force and is used when we are talking about laws, duties, regulations.
 
        Examples :- We ought to see her tomorrow.
Should and ought to can also be used to talk about strong probability.

         Examples :- He  has bought thirty pints of whisky that ought to be enough.
To talk about things which did not happen, although they were supposed to, we use should and  ought to
with the perfect infinitive.

         Examples :-The taxi should have arrived at 8.30.

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