Modals can be used to show a progression. Progression means that an action or conditon continued for a period of time.
Modal + be +(not) + verb+ing is used to show progression. The 'be' is conjugated according to the tense.
Modal + be +(not) + verb+ing is used to show progression. The 'be' is conjugated according to the tense.
Examples
- I may be working late tonight.
- His investments might be growing.
- We could be playing soccer.
- They ought to be praying.
- She should be going to school.
- He would be designing the new ad campaign.
Introduction
Polite requests
Expressing necessity & obligation
Lack of necessity
Prohibition
Expectation
Giving advice
Making suggestions
Ability
Expressing preference
Degrees of certainty (present)
Degrees of certainty (past)
Degrees of certainty (future)
Progressive forms
Repeated past
Modal & phrasal verb combinations
Polite requests
Expressing necessity & obligation
Lack of necessity
Prohibition
Expectation
Giving advice
Making suggestions
Ability
Expressing preference
Degrees of certainty (present)
Degrees of certainty (past)
Degrees of certainty (future)
Progressive forms
Repeated past
Modal & phrasal verb combinations
This page is one of PLS's English grammar pages for people who want to learn or improve their English grammar skills.
