Question

Fill in the blank with an appropriate modal, one which denotes a past possibility:

I ______ be a clerk, but now I am an officer.

• A. must
• B. used to
• C. can
• D. shall

Answer 1

The correct option is B used to

Option A - 'Must' is used to explain obligation in the present tense. Thus option A is incorrect.

Option C - 'Can' is used to explain a possibility in the present tense. Thus option C is incorrect.

Option D - 'Shall' is used to explain possibility in the future tense. Thus option D is incorrect.

Option B - 'Used to' is used to explain a possibility and a fact in the past tense. Thus option B is the correct answer.

'I used to be a clerk, but now I am an officer.'