Identify the Modal in the following sentence.
Should I wait for you at the railway station?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → should
In "Should I wait ...?", should helps the main verb "wait" and asks for advice. In a question it comes before the subject.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) wait | "Wait" is the main verb. The modal "should" helps it. | – |
| (2) station | "Station" is a noun, the name of a place. | – |
| (3) should (answer) | A modal is a helping verb that adds a sense of ability, permission, duty, advice or possibility to the main verb. The modals are can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to. A modal is followed by the base form of the main verb and does not change with the subject. | Should we leave now to avoid the traffic? |
| (4) for | "For" is a preposition joined to "you". | – |
Contrast: the modal "should" only helps. The main verb "wait" carries the action.