Let’s have a look at the question you are referring to:
I think learning … be interesting because otherwise you wouldn’t ever be able to succeed.
(a) can
(b) should
(c) must to
You certainly agree, that only answer (b) - ‘should’ is correct here.
Now, on to the second sentence you mentioned:
As of now we still don’t know if we will be … fulfil our contract.
(a) reliable
(b) able
(c) capable
Here, only answer (b) - ‘able to fulfil our contract’ is correct as ‘capable’ is followed by a gerund, so the sentence would have to read ‘… if we will be capable of fulfilling our contract.’
Let me know if this makes sense to you. Thanks.[YSaerTTEW443543]
I think learning … be interesting because otherwise you wouldn’t ever be able to succeed.
I think the answer is “can”. would you pleases tell me why is it wrong?
because can is at present tense and “should” is at past tense. after a verb at present / past tense continuous (I think learning)you allways need a verb at past tense.
See examples:
*I am studying to become a doctor.
I was watching TV when she called.
When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
What were you doing when the earthquake started?
I was listening to my iPod, so I didn’t hear the fire alarm.
You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.
Synapsamow, what does it mean: ,should is at past tense’ according to you? I don’t understand it. for the past we use,should have been’’, ,should’’ isn’t a past form.
‘Should’ has the sense of that is what must be correct or best.
I think learning should be interesting because otherwise you wouldn’t ever be able to succeed.
In the test sentence there is a conditional element. In other words if it wasn’t interesting, you wouldn’t learn. Therefore ‘should’ has the meaning that it is a good idea for the learning to be interesting.
Hi Gwendolyn, have you read Alan’s explanation? Which part of it did you not understand? “Should” in this sentence describes a certain condition. Do you know what a condition is? Also, ‘should’ is modal verb. It’s not past tense.[YSaerTTEW443543]
Hello Torsten
I just finished the test “Learn it by heart” and in the first time I scored 9 out 10,because instead of “should” I used "can"in the third sentence.And in second time I scored 10 out 10.Thank you for your explanation,it is very helpful.
Bye bye
Admira
One thing to keep in mind is that most modal verbs can express more than one mood (meaning they have more than one meaning).
Torsten is correct that in that example should is not in the past tense. However, should CAN be the past tense of shall when used in a different sense.
Hi, Torsen, I do not understand the modal verbs. Can you please talk some more on that subject. I think English should be an interesting subject or we should all travel, aren’t this is the future continuous in the past.
Thanks.