In English, modals like ‘must’ can be tricky when it comes to understanding the correct form of verbs that follow them. In the sentence ‘New recruits must ( ) the workshop next week,’ you might be tempted to choose ‘be attended’ due to the presence of ‘must,’ which is a modal verb that often requires a verb in its base form. However, the correct choice is ‘attend.’ Let’s break down why this is the case.
1. The Role of ‘Must’ in English
‘Must’ is a modal verb that expresses necessity, obligation, or strong advice. When ‘must’ is used, it is always followed by the base form of a verb, not the passive form. In this case, ‘must’ requires the verb ‘attend’ (the base form) and not ‘be attended,’ which is the passive voice.
For example, ‘You must eat your vegetables’ is correct, not ‘You must be eaten your vegetables.’
2. Active vs. Passive Voice
The confusion often arises because in English, we sometimes use passive voice to show that an action is done to the subject. The passive construction ‘be attended’ might seem appropriate because it involves the workshop being ‘attended’ by the recruits. However, the sentence is in the active voice, meaning the recruits themselves must ‘attend’ the workshop. Therefore, the correct choice is the active verb ‘attend.’
To clarify, ‘attend’ means to be present at or take part in something, while ‘be attended’ would imply that something is happening to the subject. Here, the recruits are the ones doing the action—they are attending the workshop, not the other way around.
3. Why ‘Attend’ is Used in the Sentence
The phrase ‘New recruits must ( ) the workshop next week’ requires the active verb ‘attend’ because it is referring to what the recruits must do. ‘Attend’ is an action that the recruits must actively take part in. If the sentence were passive, the subject would be receiving the action, but in this case, the recruits are the ones performing the action.
So, ‘must attend’ conveys the idea of recruits having to take action and be present at the workshop, whereas ‘must be attended’ would imply that the recruits are the ones who are being acted upon, which doesn’t fit the intended meaning.
4. The Importance of Understanding Modal Verbs
One of the key aspects of mastering English is understanding how modal verbs work. ‘Must,’ along with other modals like ‘can,’ ‘will,’ ‘should,’ and ‘may,’ is followed by the base form of the verb. It is important to remember that ‘must’ and similar modals do not need ‘be’ or any auxiliary verbs before the main verb. This is a fundamental rule in English grammar.
For instance, you would say ‘You must study’ (not ‘must be studied’) or ‘They can go’ (not ‘can be gone’).
5. Conclusion: Why ‘Attend’ is Correct
In summary, the correct verb form to use after the modal ‘must’ in the sentence ‘New recruits must ( ) the workshop next week’ is ‘attend.’ This is because modals like ‘must’ always require the base form of the verb, and the sentence requires an active verb. Remember, ‘attend’ is the appropriate active verb to describe the recruits’ participation in the workshop.
Understanding the function of modals and the difference between active and passive voice is essential to mastering English grammar. By applying these rules, you will be able to choose the correct verb form in sentences like this one with confidence.
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