Question

Fill in the blank with an appropriate modal auxiliary denoting permission-
You are in a clothes shop. You see some trousers you like and you want to try them on.
You say to the shop assistant: _______
a) Could I try on these trousers?
b) Will I try on these trousers?
c) Shall I try on these trousers?
d) Would I try on these trousers?

Answer 1

Hint: Modal auxiliary verbs are used with main verbs to indicate the main verb’s time or expression. The modal auxiliary verb and main verb together form a verb phrase.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
As given in the hint, modal verbs and main verbs form a verb phrase that indicates the entire action performed by a subject.
Example- As of next year, I will have been working with this company for five years. Here, we know that the main verb is ‘working’ and the modal verbs are ‘I will have been’. So, both modal verbs and main verb form a verb phrase that highlights the action.
In the question- X wants to try on trousers. We use the modal verb ‘could’ to make suggestions or requests. Hence, the correct answer is- Could I try on these trousers?
Let’s examine the given options-
Could I try on these trousers? – ‘Could’ is used to make requests. Hence, it is the correct option.
Will I try on these trousers? – ‘Will’ is used with voluntary situations and actions that take place in the future. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Shall I try on these trousers? – ‘Shall’ is used with formal obligations. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Would I try on these trousers? – ‘Would’ is the past tense form of ‘will’. Hence, it is an incorrect option.

The correct answer is Option ‘a’.

Note: Modal auxiliary verbs are also known as helping verbs, as they function with the main verb to highlight the main verb’s mood and tense.