Word choice

Question

I am not sure about which word to use in the following sentences:

We are conducting a research to determine if supplementation with zinc 'can be/may be/is' beneficial for the skin.

Fruits 'may be/can be/could be/are' beneficial for your heart.

Can all words be used in the above sentences? Is there any difference? Please comment on each word option in both sentences

Thank you very much in advance.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

We are conducting research to determine if supplementation with zinc 'can be/may be/is' beneficial for the skin.
Fruit 'may be/can be/could be/are' beneficial for your heart.

'Be' without a modal indicates a fact; the others do not. There is no other significant or consistent difference.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you. But what do you mean 'be' without a modal. So modals before 'be' indicate that what I am saying is not a fact but a possibility? I am confused because I don't have be alone in any of my examples, it is either a mod followed by a be or a modal alone.So please explain?

Did you mean the ones without be are a fact (such as can, is, are, could), and the ones with be (such as can be, may be) are a possibility?

Mister Micawber · Answer

AnonymousSo modals before 'be' indicate that what I am saying is not a fact but a possibility?

That is one of the functions of many of them, yes.

Anonymous I am confused because I don't have be alone in any of my examples,

Yes, you do:

zinc 'is' beneficial
Fruits 'are' beneficial

AnonymousDid you mean the ones without be are a fact (such as can, is, are, could), and the ones with be (such as can be, may be) are a possibility?

No. The ones with only 'be' are a fact, and the ones with 'can, may, could' are a possibility.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much. I just did not know that 'be' is referred to or means the same as 'is and are' in this example.

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