Final answer:
The completion of the sentence, 'Where is the spatula? It (be) ______________ in this drawer but it's not here, making the sentence read 'It may be, might be, or could be in this drawer.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The question requires the use of modal verbs and the main verb 'be' in a context where the location of an object is uncertain. In the provided example sentence, it is appropriate to express uncertainty regarding the presence of an item, which here is the spatula. This leads us to use modal auxiliaries that express probability such as 'may', 'might', or 'could'. An auxiliary like 'must' is generally used to suggest a strong probability or necessity, which doesn't fit the context of something being possibly misplaced.
The correct completion of the sentence would be: "Where is the spatula? It may be, might be, or could be in this drawer", indicating uncertainty about the spatula's location.Remember to use the correct form of the main verb 'be' to agree with the subject, and choose the modal verb based on the degree of certainty you wish to express.
Based on the information provided, we can use any of these modals to complete the sentence, depending on the intended meaning. For example, if you are certain that the spatula should be in the drawer, you can use 'must be'. If you are unsure, you can use 'may/might/could be'. And if you believe the spatula could be anywhere, you can use 'can be'.