Question

Fill in the blank with an appropriate modal:
It’s so nice here. I _______ stay here all day, but unfortunately, I have to go.
 a. may
b. can
c. could
d. will

Answer 1

Hint: The student should read the sentence carefully to understand when the event is supposed to be taking place. Then the options should be carefully distinguished to find out whether they indicate the possibility, ability, or obligation.

Complete answer:
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.
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question -
Option (a.), 'may', refers to ‘To have permission to, be allowed. Used in granting permission and in questions to make polite requests’.
Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as the sentence talks about the ability to stay in the present, and not permission.
Option (b.), ‘can', refers to a modal that expresses ability in the present tense.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as it is not used for sentences that have possible incomplete events or imaginations.
Option (c.), ‘could', refers to a modal that expresses ability in the past tense.
Therefore, option (c.) is correct as ‘could’ is used for statements that have possible incomplete events or imaginations.
Option (d.), ‘will', refers to a modal in the future tense.
Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as the modal should be in present tense since the sentence talks about the ability to stay in the present.

Note:
 In this question, it will be helpful for the student to recall the concept of a verb ( as all modals are 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.