Select the most appropriate Modal to be filled in the blank in the sentence given below:
I ________ visit my friend daily when she was in the hospital.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) - used to
The sentence refers to a past habit (visiting a friend daily when she was in the hospital). The correct modal verb for expressing a repeated action in the past is "used to."
"I used to visit my friend daily when she was in the hospital."
- This indicates that visiting the friend was a regular activity in the past but is no longer happening.
OTHER OPTIONS
"can" → Incorrect
- "Can" expresses present ability, but the sentence refers to a past habit.
- Example: I can visit my friend tomorrow.
"should" → Incorrect
- "Should" expresses advice or obligation, not a past habit.
- Example: I should visit my friend more often.
"could" → Incorrect
- "Could" expresses past ability or permission, but it does not convey a regular habit like "used to."
- Example: I could visit my friend if I had time.
"I used to visit my friend daily when she was in the hospital."