3.5: Progressive Modals

Modals of Possibility and Probability with Progressive Tenses

We can use present progressive modal forms to make a guess or draw a logical conclusion about an ongoing activity in progress at the present time; that is, during the time of speaking. 

Present Progressive Form of Modals

Formula: SUBJECT + APPROPRIATE MODAL + BE + ING VERB

Person A: What’s all that noise?

Person B: The neighbor’s son is in a rock band. They must be practicing.

Past Progressive Form of Modals

We also use modals of possibility or probability to make guesses or logical conclusions about past activities.

Formula: SUBJECT + APPROPRIATE MODAL + HAVE BEEN + ING VERB

Person A: I didn’t hear a sound when I passed by the children’s room earlier.

Person B: They must have been sleeping.

Must, could, might, may, couldn’t, can’t, may not and might not are used to show how certain the speaker is that an action is presently occurring or not occurring. Using must conveys a strong feeling of certainty; nevertheless, there is still some doubt in the speaker’s mind.

Could, may and might show that a speaker is 50% or less certain that an action is in progress.

Linda didn't come to class today. She might be working

Couldn’t and can’t show that the speaker believes strongly that a situation is not taking place. For example:

It’s noon. George went to bed at 10:00 last night. He can’t still be sleeping!

May not and might not convey the idea that a speaker is 50% or less certain that an action is not possible or probable. They are not normally used in their contracted forms.

Correct: They aren’t here yet and it’s getting late. They might not be coming.

Incorrect: They aren’t here yet, and it’s getting late. They mightn’t be coming.

Might and could are used in questions regarding the possibility or probability of actions taking place. However, may and must are not.

Correct: Could Tom be studying now?

Incorrect: May Tom be studying now?

For most short answers, a modal alone is used. However, if the question includes a be verb, a modal with be is required.

Person A: Is Simon joining us?

Person B: I’m not sure. He might be.

Note about Non-Action (Stative) Verbs:

Remember that not all verbs are used in the progressive (progressive) form. Non-action verbs that describe situations or conditions that aren’t expected to change, such as seem, appear, cost, weigh, have and be are not used. Other types of non-progressive verbs are:

• Verbs of the senses (hear, smell, see, taste, etc.)
• Verbs of ownership (have, belong, own, possess)
• Verbs that convey feelings (love, hate, like, hate, prefer, want, etc.)

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Sentence Completion

1. PERSON A: Where's Danny
   PERSON B: He has an important exam tomorrow, so he ________________
   1. is studying.
   2. can't be studying.
   3. must be studying.
   4. studied.
2. I wanted to talk to the professor about my grade, but he wasn't in his office. I guess he ___________________
   1. might be teaching another class.
   2. must have taught another class.
   3. was teaching another class.
   4. might have been teaching another class.
3. Although it's sunny and dry now, I see several people carrying umbrellas. It _____________________
   1. can't have been raining earlier.
   2. might have been raining earlier.
   3. rained earlier.
   4. must have been raining earlier.
4. Bob's teenage daughter always wears pink clothing. She even painted her bedroom pink. She __________________
   1. must to like pink.
   2. must like pink.
   3. might like pink.
   4. might be liking pink.
5. PERSON A: I was raised in a large city.
   PERSON B: That _____________________
   1. must be interesting.
   2. must have to be interesting.
   3. may have been interesting.
   4. must have been interesting.
6. PERSON A: The children are very quiet. I wonder what they are up to. (To "be up to" means to be doing something, often something you shouldn't be doing)
   PERSON B: I don't know. They ___________________
   1. are sleeping.
   2. could be sleeping.
   3. could have been sleeping.
   4. will have been sleeping.
7. James and Betty went to Hawaii on Friday for a two-week vacation. Right now, they ___________________
   1. might relax on a sunny beach.
   2. must be relaxing on a sunny beach.
   3. are relaxing on a sunny beach.
   4. maybe is relaxing on a sunny beach.
8. I can't find my wallet. I __________________
   1. am leaving it at home.
   2. maybe left it at home
   3. may have left it at home.
   4. must left it at home.
9. PERSON A: Many people were laughing throughout the movie.
   PERSON B: It ____________________ very funny.
   1. maybe was
   2. may been 
   3. must have been
   4. could have been
10. I'm not sure, but someone _______________________ a package for you earlier today. You should check the front door just in case.
    1. might have left
    2. must have left
    3. maybe left
    4. might be leaving

Explanation and Exercise 1 adapted from UVIC Study Zone licensed for use under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International.

Exercise 3: Answering Questions

Answer the following questions using progressive modals.
1. Where might you be living in the year 2030?
2. What will you be doing next Saturday afternoon?
3. What might your best friend be doing right now?
4. What should all of the students in this class be thinking about now?
5. What might you be doing at this time a year from now?
6. What could you be doing right now if you weren’t in school?
7. What might your relatives be doing in your home country right now?
8. What might you be doing at this time a year from now?

Exercise 3 adapted from Grammar the Way You Like It by Don Bissonnet licensed for use under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International

Exercise 4: Present and Past Progressive Modals

Fill in the blanks with the correct progressive form of the modal verbs:

1. Given the weather forecast, we _________________ (may / hike) in the rain if we go to the park this afternoon.
2. It’s so noisy outside! The children _________________ (must/play) in the yard.
3. I don’t know why Mike is not in his office. It’s 10am, and he _____________________ ( should / work) now.
4. Her eyes were red when she came in. She ______________________ (must / cry).
5. There’s a big game tonight. The team _______________________ (should / practice) for the big game at this moment.
6. Luis and Carla are still at work. They ___________________ (might /work) late on the project since they have to turn it in tomorrow.
7. Since she was so focused, she _________________________ ( must /study) for her final exam last night
8. Lisa has a can of paint and paintbrushes in her living room. She _____________________ (must / paint) her house.
9. They _________________________ (might / wait) for the bus now if they missed the train.
10. Larry said he would cook tonight. He _____________________ (should / cook) dinner for us right now.

Exercise 4 Original work by Allyson Marceau