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8.3 Possibility and Logical Conclusions: Progressive

Modal (Not) + Be + Verb + -ing
Not Certain about Present or Future Events

Professor Wang may be giving a lecture now. He’s in the lecture hall.
May (Not)/Might (No1)/
Sam might be meeting with his study group. It sometimes meets on Mondays.
Could
Lisa could be coming by taxi. She often takes one when she’s late for class.

Very Certain about Present or Future Events

The teacher can't be holding office hours. His door is locked.

Can‘i/Couldn't/Must (Not) | They couldn't be taking an exam now. The class ended 15 minutes ago.
Jen must be studying. She picked up her laptop and went to the library.

1. To express a possible continuing Jay might be talking to Professor Angad in the
action in the present or future, use lab. | saw them in there a minute ago.
modal + be + verb + -ing. Suki’s team may be playing basketball tonight.
She was wearing her uniform when she left.

2. May/Might/Could + be + verb + -ing can be | may be moving in six months. I'm waiting to hear
used to talk about possible future plans. about the job | applied for.
| might not be taking math next semester.

3. Must + be + verb + -ing can be used to talk The team must be feeling great. They just won the
about something that is very likely in the championship.
present or in the future. Alan must be graduating next month. He has
finished his coursework and passed his exams.

4.Can’t/Couldn’t + be + verb + -ing are used Ben can't be driving to work. His car is in the
to express certainty that an action is not driveway.
taking place.

7 Complete each conversation. Use the modal and the progressive form of the verb
in parentheses,

1. A: What do you think those researchers are doing here?
B: They must be studying (must / study) the 17-year cicadas.
These insects come out of the ground every 17 years, and this is the year.

2. A: Why are those people talking to the scientist?
B: They (may / describe) the cicadas they saw.

3. A: One woman looks angry. She’s pointing at all the cicadas in her garden.
B: She (might / complain) about them.

4. A: What is that researcher doing with the audio equipment?

B: He (could / record) the sound of the cicadas.

5. A: Wow! Listen to that noise.
B: I know. It (must / keep) people up at night.

4A 17-year cicada

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UNIT8
LESSON1
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