Question

Complete the sentence with an auxiliary verb:
She may phone later this evening but I don’t think she _____.
a) can
b) will
c) should
d) may

Answer 1

Hint: An auxiliary verb is a verb that combines with another verb in a verb phrase to help form tense, mood, voice, or condition of the verb it combines with.

Complete answer:
We know that a modal auxiliary is an auxiliary verb (such as `can' or `will') that is used to express modality. Modality refers to a classification of propositions on the basis of whether they claim necessity or possibility or impossibility.
In the given question, we have to find out which of the given options indicates a simple auxiliary which expresses her unlikelihood of phoning in the evening (future). Thus, it should be in the future tense.
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question-
Option (a.), 'can', refers to a modal which expresses ability. Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as there is no ability indicated in the sentence.
Option (b.), ‘will', refers to ‘determine by choice’. Therefore, option (b.) is correct as it expresses her unlikelihood of phoning in the evening by choice.
Option (c.), ‘should', refers to a modal which expresses duty or obligation. Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as
Option (d.), ‘may', refers to a modal which expresses permission. Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as there is no permission indicated in the sentence.

Note:
 In this question, it will be helpful for the student to recall the concept of verbs. A verb is a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence. A verb is the word class that serves as the predicate of a sentence.