Lyuba
modal verbs in special questions HELP T_T so i started writing this and came to this point and then i was like omg there's something wrong with the sentence (btw, the sentence is from a text abot poker) " How great does our percentage have to be?" Is it gramatically right? I suppose its kinda same to " How fast does the boy have to run?" Please tell me more about modal verbs usage in such questions.. Am i right using 3d form of DO in first part and continuing with modal "HAVE" in the second part?
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الإجابات · 7
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Though I agree this is fine; I too would want other options that sound more peasant. I am like you in that 'have to' rings a bit uncomfortable. So try this: "How great must our percentage be?" or "What percentage must we reach?"
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It's perfectly correct. Why do you think it is wrong?
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The big problem I see is that you're copying sloppy English... no wonder you have problems with a basic sentence. Let me break down the sentence for you. Our percentage = a single thing. You're asking a question, so you use "does". No surprise here. "Have to" means an obligation. Again, no mystery. "Our percentage has to be great... how great?"
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Besides that can also try "how fast has he to run?" Which is less common, though.
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Sounds correct to me. But I might be wrong, you better wait untill a teacher or native speaker answer.
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