6.1.3: Modal Verb Question Formation and Structure
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- 270090
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Modal Verb Formation and Structure: Questions
Modal Verbs are helping (auxiliary) verbs. Therefore, both the negative form and the question form are made by using the modal verbs.
Yes/No Questions
Modal Auxiliary | Subject | Base Verb | Rest of Sentence |
May | I | go | home early? |
Could | she | ride | a bike? |
Would | he | help | you? |
Can | it | drive | safely? |
Will | we | get | there on time/ |
Should | they | study | harder |
Must | you | leave | so soon? |
Information Questions (WH Questions)
Question Word | Modal Auxiliary | Subject | Base Verb | Rest of Sentence |
Who (Whom-formal) | may | I | go | speak to about this problem? |
Where | will | you | buy | a new car? |
What | could | she | do | when she was a baby? |
How | can | it | help | you with the work? |
When | might | we | do | our work? |
Why | couldn't | you | finish | your homework? |
Questions about the Subject
This form is used when we are asking about the subject.
Question Word | Modal Auxiliary | Base Verb | Rest of Sentence |
Who | can | help | me with the housework? |
What | might | be | a suitable solution? |
Exercise 1.4
Make questions with the WH words which following sentences.
1. Joe can buy a new car next year.
When
Who
2. I can go on vacation when I save enough money.
When
Where
3. We should study irregular verbs before we take the final exam.
What
When
4. You must come to class on time on Friday.
Who
When
5. It might rain on Sunday.
When
Exercise 1.5
Write a Question for the answer. Use the words that are provided.
1. can/who/come/on Friday
Question: Who can come on Friday?
Answer: Sheila can come on Friday.
2. could/what/happen/when the storm comes
Question: ___________________________
Answer: The streets could flood when the storm comes.
3. should/who/bring/ the snacks for the party?
Question: ______________________
Answer: The teacher should bring the snacks. for the party
4. will/what/be/the best place for our party
Question: _______________________
Answer: The banquet hall will be the best place for our party.