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

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!!

=)