Question

Choose the suitable modal verb for this sentence:
Do you believe he ___ swim so far across the river?

• A. Could
• B. Can
• C. May
• D. Might

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Can

Modal verbs help determine the mood of a sentence, to indicate obligation, permission, possibility and so on. For the given sentence, 'can' is the most suitable option as it indicates ability; the person's ability is in question, to swim that far. Hence option B is correct. 'Could' is used in the past tense of 'can', when a sentence in the direct speech is transformed in the indirect speech; as this sentence is in direct speech, could isn't a suitable modal and option A is incorrect. 'May' indicates possibility or permission. In the sentence, a possibility or permission is not in question, but the ability of the person 'he' is, hence 'may' isn't the correct option. 'Might' is generally used as the past tense of 'may', the sentence neither requires 'may' nor is it in the indirect speech; hence options C and D are incorrect.