Read Mode
Modals
They agreed that the election ------------- be held at an early date.
Explanation and memory cue
The modal verb 'would' is appropriate here because it expresses a future action that was agreed upon by the parties. In the sentence 'They agreed that the election ------------- be held at an early date,' 'would' conveys the idea of a future event decided in the past. While 'should' can sometimes be used to express expectation or obligation, it is less suitable for indicating a future event agreed upon. 'Shall' is more formal and less common in this context, and 'could' implies possibility rather than certainty. Therefore, 'would' fits best to express the agreed future event.