3.9 Modals with Progressive Verb Forms
Download as PPTX, PDF2 likes5,476 views
This document discusses the use of progressive verb forms with modals to express degrees of certainty or possibility. It provides examples of using modals like "may", "might", "could", "must" with the present and past progressive tenses. For example, "She might be getting better" or "She might have been sleeping". It also discusses using the progressive form with "should" and "ought to" when giving advice or referring to past counterfactual situations, like "You should have been listening while the teacher was talking!".
3.9 Modals with Progressive Verb Forms
- 1. Section A
- 2. We can use progressive verb forms with modals to express degrees of certainty. This form is more common in speaking than in writing. For present forms, we use a modal + (not) + be + the –ing form of the main verb. For example: The medical treatment She’s getting better.must be working. This is an old address. He there anymore.may not be living
- 3. It at first, but you’ll get it eventually.might be confusing employees their jobs soon.could be losing The company is going bankrupt. Thousands of
- 4. For past forms, we use a modal + (not) + have been + the –ing form of the main verb. For example: She didn’t hear the phone ring. She might have been sleeping. It illegally.must have been operating The government shut that company down.
- 5. We don’t usually use non-action verbs such as believe, own, and know in the progressive. For example: He that already.must know (NOT: He must be knowing…)
- 6. Section B
- 7. We can also use the progressive form with should and ought to when we are giving advice or making recommendations in the present. For example: You more time on your work.should be spending I don’t know why they’re upset. They ought to be celebrating.
- 8. We also use the progressive form with should and ought to when making past counterfactual statements. For example: You while the teacher was talking!should have been listening