About how to use "would"

Question

Hello.The question below is "fill in the blank" question and its answer is ?.  I can understand ? is the most appropriate for the blank. But what about ??What I would like to know is 1. whether ? is gramattically possible as an answer or not2. if not, how "would" in this example is different from  "would" in the sentence such as,   "She left two hours ago, so she would be at home now."Miki and her family (      ) out of town.  I have called several times, but there is no answer.? could go     ? must be     ? should go    ? would beI really appreciate your kind help.

Darkmax · Accepted Answer

To use "would be" you should rephrase the sentence as such:-

I have called Miki and her family several times. Since no one answered, it would be likely they are out of town.

In my opinion, the simplest way to use "would" would be the past tense of "will". But that is not always the case.

Anonymous · Answer

THANK YOU very much for your reply.

So, the reason why "would be" cannot be used in the example above
is concerned with the flow of the sentences?
There must be the reason first, before "I" can guess or infer "they are out of town"?
If so, I can some how understand what you mean.

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,

Such tests commonly ask for an answer that is 'gramattically possible', when what they really want is the answer that the examiner thinks is the most likely and reasonable in the given context.
That's what causes discussions like yours.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousMiki and her family ( ) out of town. I have called several times, but there is no answer.

The second sentence is not there just for decoration. You have to relate the second sentence (underlined) to the sentence with the blank.

Miki and her family would be out of town.
=
Miki and her family were going to be out of town. (They had planned to be out of town, and they were therefore out of town.)

That has nothing to do with
I have called several times, but there is no answer.
If you knew they were going to be (would be) out of town, why are you calling them? It makes no sense.
_____________

On the other hand:

Miki and her family must be out of town.
=
The only logical conclusion is that Miki and her family are out of town.

How do you know that? Because:
I have called several times, but there there is no answer.

Now you have two sentences that, when combined, make sense.
_______

Note that in a lot of these questions, you have to do more than be grammatical. In addition, you have to make sense.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

To Clive and CalifJim

THANK YOU very much for your reply.

Especially, CalifJim, your detailed explanation was really helpful for me.

I should have written the following first.

In Japan, students have to pass entrance examinations which are full of

this kind of questions to enter universities. My Job is to help such students.

Thank you again for your kind help.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIn Japan, students have to pass entrance examinations which ... My job is to help such students.

Ah, I see. Well, be sure to remind them that in multiple choice exams there may be more than one correct answer among the choices, and the student has to choose the best answer, not just any correct answer. The best answer is the one that is not only grammatical, but also sounds natural and makes logical sense.

Good luck!

CJ