Monday 16 May 2011

Progressive forms of modals

Examples:

(a) Let's just knock on the door lightly. Tom may be sleeping. (right now)
(b) All of the lights in Ann's room are turned off. She must be sleeping. (right now)

Progressive form, present time: modal + be + -ing.
Meaning: in progress right now.

(c) Sara wasn't at home last night when we went to visit her. She might have been studying at the library.
(d) Naeem wasn't at home last night. He has a lot of exams coming up soon, and he is also working on a term paper. He must have been studying at the library.

Progressive form, past time: modal + have been + -ing.
Meaning: in progress at a time in the past.


Cheers!
Naeem

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