Fill in the blank with an appropriate Modal:
______ I ask you a question?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → can
Complete sentence: Can I ask you a question? The speaker asks for permission to put a question, so Can makes the natural request.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) ought | Ought expresses moral duty or what is right, and it is always followed by to (ought to). "Ought I ask you a question?" lacks "to", and a question about duty is not a request for permission. | You ought to respect your elders. |
| (2) will | Will with "I" in a question asks about the future (Will I get a seat?). "Will I ask you a question?" does not request permission. | Will you help me with this box? |
| (3) can (answer) | Can + subject + base verb is the everyday way of asking permission to do something. | Can I use your phone for a minute? |
| (4) used | Used (to) speaks of a past habit that no longer continues, and it needs to before the verb. "Used I ask you a question?" is ungrammatical and has nothing to do with permission. | We used to play cricket every evening. |