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1. I wish he A) must be C) will be a little more tactful! B) would be D) might be​ a little more tactful!

User Edd
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The student's question pertains to choosing the correct modal verb to express a wish about someone's behavior. The correct choice is B) 'would be', which fits with the subjunctive mood in English for expressing desires or hypothetical situations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question, "I wish he would be a little more tactful!", is asking which modal verb is appropriate to express a wish about someone else's behavior. The correct option is B) would be, as it reflects the subjunctive mood used for wishes, hypothetical situations, and things that are not currently true but are desired. In English, 'would' is commonly used to express a wish or desire about someone else's actions or behavior. The other options 'must be', 'will be', and 'might be' do not correctly convey this sense of wishing something were different.

Here are some examples to clarify the usage:

  • 'Would' for wishes: I wish he would listen to me.
  • 'Must' for obligations: He must finish his homework before going out.
  • 'Will' for future certainty: He will be there tomorrow.
  • 'Might' for possibility: He might come to the party if he's free.

In the context of the student's question, the use of 'would' is most appropriate because the speaker is expressing a wish for a change in someone's behavior, which is not happening at the moment but is hoped for.

Please mention correct option in final answer: The correct option is B) would be.

User Michael Parkin
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