Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
_____ he live long!
A) May
B) Might
C) Could
D) Would

Answer 1

Hint: The words given in the options are modal verbs. These are words that indicate the modality of an event, i.e. likelihood, permission, capability, possibility etc. Sometimes, they may also be used for indicating imaginary, unreal, hope or wishes.

Complete answer:
The sentence given in the question is in a subjunctive mood, where the speaker is wishing for someone to live long. We must choose the most appropriate modal verb which indicates the subjunctive mood.

Let us analyze the given options:
Option A) May – The word ‘may’ is generally used to state guesses. For e.g. I may have lost my book, as I haven’t seen it in a while. But it also has a special use of praying or wishing for something. For e.g. May God bless you. May you do well in your exams. This use of the word is very similar to the sentence given in the question. Therefore, this is the correct option.
Option B) Might – This word is used to indicate a weak possibility of something happening. For e.g. I might not be able to make it to the party. In the sentence given in the question, we are not talking about the possibility of something, but we are making a wish or a prayer for someone. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
Option C) Could – This word is also used to indicate the possibility of something happening but this possibility is stronger than the word ‘might’. For e.g. He could be busy at this hour of the day. The sentence in the question is about praying or wishing for something to happen and it is not about the possibility of that happening. Therefore, this is the wrong option.
Option D) Would – this is a different form of the verb ‘will’. It indicates the belief of something happening either in the future or in the past. For e.g. I would have won the game easily. The sentence given in the question is not about the speaker’s belief, rather it is about what he wishes. Therefore, this option is also wrong.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (A) May he live long!

Note: In this question, the answer is the verb ‘may’. ‘May’ is also used to ask for permissions. For e.g. May I borrow your book? There are also some phrases using the word ‘may’. For e.g. be that as it may. It actually means, despite that or nevertheless. Also, the phrase “may as well’ is used to make an unenthusiastic suggestion.