Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
_________ God bless you!
A. Must
B. Can
C. May
D. Would

Answer 1

Hint: Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express possibility or necessity. It indicates modality like likelihood, capacity, suggestion, advice, ability, order, permission, request, obligation, capacity. Some modal verbs are May, Would, Should, Shall, Might, ought to, Could, Must etc. The sentence needs one such modal verb to complete. Let us analyse the modality needed here in the given sentence.

Complete answer:
Let us analyse each option individually in detail to know the correct answer with the help of the above stated hint.

Must: Must is a modal verb that is used to express obligation. Example: You must brush your teeth twice a day. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “ Must God bless you”. This is not apt in meaning. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

Can: Can is a modal verb that is used to express ability, possibility, capacity . Example: You can fall sick by eating ice cream in the cold. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “ Can God bless you”. This is not apt in meaning. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

May: May is a modal verb that is used to express possibility . Example: You may take a leave now. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “ May God bless you”. This is apt in meaning. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Would: Would is a modal verb that is used to express polite offers or requests. Example: Would you like some more tea? By implying this option, the sentence becomes “ Would God bless you”. This is not apt in meaning. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

Hence, the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: The sentence _________ god bless you!, suggests a wish for someone by the speaker. There is no certainty in this sentence. There is just a possibility. Therefore, we have concluded our answer to be ‘May’. It is important to make use of modal verbs with reference to the mood of the sentence. Example: If we want someone to leave, we would say “You may leave now”. It sounds more firm. If we say “Would you leave now?”, it sounds less firm and more of a question.