How to use the modal verbs?

[Pioneer]

Test No. incompl/elem-16 "Learn it by heart", question 3

I think learning ......... be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.

(a) can
(b) should
(c) must to

Test No. incompl/elem-16 "Learn it by heart", answer 3

I think learning should be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.

Correct answer: (b) should

Hello dear Alan and Torsten! Why in this test do you choose "should to" To my mind all 3 answer are appropriate.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Test No. incompl/elem-16 "Learn it by heart", question 9

As of now we still don't know if we will be ......... to fulfil our contract.

(a) reliable
(b) able
(c) capable

Test No. incompl/elem-16 "Learn it by heart", answer 9

As of now we still don't know if we will be able to fulfil our contract.

Correct answer: (b) able

Why in answer 9 I cannot use word "capable"?
Thank you
Pioneer

[Torsten]

Dear Pioneer,

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.

TOEIC listening, photographs: The five star bedroom

[Pioneer]

Hello dear Torsten again, it really very helped me.
Thank you
Pioneer

[Zaza]

Hello Mr Torsten ,i'm so happy to study your course thank you alot.

[Saneta]

please tell me why can't it be : can be interesting?

[Farnaz20]

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?

[Ankur_Mind]

"I think learning ..... be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.

(a) can
(b) should
(c) must to"

why should and not can?
please tell me

[Synapsamov]

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.

[Saneta]

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.

[Gie_Arvian]

Thanks for the explanation

[Afnan]

Hi torsten,
why should is the correct answer ?
thanks,
afnan

[Alan]

Hi Afnan,

'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.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Anu_Riya]

i am very much clear.....nice explaination....

[Gwen2010]

Hi Torsten,

I have a question about the following sentence:

I think learning ......... be interesting because otherwise you wouldn't ever be able to succeed.
(a) can (b) should (c) must to

Why I cannot choose (a), can?

If it is because can is present tense and should is past tense, but " I think" is also present tense, right? Why do we need to use past tense should?

Gwendolyn

[Torsten]

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.

TOEIC listening, question-response: Where do you get your suits dry-cleaned?