Zach used to work at an independent record label. Negotiating could be exciting, but he was supposed to slant everything in the label’s favor. Some reps used questionable tactics. He couldn’t look at himself in the mirror if he treated people like that.

Question

Zach used to work at an independent record label. Negotiating could be exciting, but he was supposed to slant everything in the label’s favor. Some reps used questionable tactics. He couldn’t look at himself in the mirror if he treated people like that.

First Question:
In the above passage, how many phrasal modals are there?

I believe there are only two:
1) used to
2) was supposed to

I am wondering if "could be" is also a phrasal modal. I know that "could" is a modal, so does that mean "could be" is a phrasal modal?

Second Question:

In the above passage, the predicate of the first sentence is:
a) Zach
b) used
c) used to work
d) used to work at an independent record label

I believe the answer is "d", because my understanding of a predicate is that it is a verb and all objects and modifiers that go with it. I think that "used to work" makes up the verb and "at an independent record label" are the modifiers

Answer 1

#1 ~ Double-check after you have read this webpage. http://www.eslcafe.com/grammar/understanding_and_using_modal_verbs01.html

#2 ~ You're correct.

Answer 2

So I am correct on the first one because "could be" is not a phrasal modal. "Could" is just a single-word modal.

Answer 3

Right.

I just wanted to make sure you understood it completely!!

=)

Answer 4

First Question:

In the passage, there are indeed two phrasal modals:
1) "used to" - This construction indicates a past habit or repeated action.
2) "was supposed to" - This expresses obligation or expectation.

However, "could be" is not considered a phrasal modal. The word "could" on its own is a modal verb indicating possibility or ability. In this case, "could be" is simply the past tense of "could" followed by the verb "be." It does not function as a phrasal modal.

Second Question:
You are correct in identifying the answer as "d) used to work at an independent record label." In the context of sentence structure, the predicate refers to the part of the sentence that includes the verb and any objects or modifiers that accompany it. In this case, "used to work" is the verb phrase, and "at an independent record label" is a prepositional phrase modifying the verb. Therefore, "d) used to work at an independent record label" includes the complete predicate of the first sentence.