Thread: What is the difference between past tense and past particple?
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Old 17-Jul-2005, 22:30
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Default Re: What is the difference between past tense and past particple?
The modal auxilliary verbs can, may, will, and shall can be used to express various degrees of necessity, possibility, willingness, ability or obligation when used in their past tense forms.

I will drive home tonight. (the certain future)
I would drive home tonight. (I am willing, but something is preventing it)
I can drive home tonight. (I am capable and willing, but not certain)
I could drive home tonight. (It is possible, but less likely than "can")
I may drive home tonight. (It is possible, but I have not decided)
I might drive home tonight. (It is possible, but not likely)
I must drive home tonight. (It is necessary)
I shall drive home tonight. (Now archaic, "will" is used for all future forms)
I should drive home tonight. (Shows obligation, but not necessity)

Note: The differences between shall and will are interesting but unimportant. Soon the word shall will exist only in its past tense form should.
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