Progressive Modals

Lesson 2 Progressive Modals

Essential Question

How do we show how sure, or certain, we are about an event, idea, or action taking place?

Grammar in the World

What Do I Know?

Use the interactive below to see how much you already know about progressive modals. Look at each sentence below, then choose the correct word to complete each sentence to show ongoing or continuous action:

Building Blocks

Grammar is a complex system and structure of language. Mizzou Academy Grammar Lab spotlights one skill (or block) at a time, but it’s often helpful to see how a skill works together with other, related blocks to build the language structure as a whole. You may find the following resource topics helpful as context for this lesson:

Learn About Progressive Modals

In Group 2, When and Why To Use Modals, you can see an overview of the 9 main modal verbs and how to use them. Take time to review that topic now if you have not already.

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Progressive Modals
auxiliary/modal verb + be + base verb + ing
must	be	practicing
might	be	reading
will	be	studying
could	be	sleeping
should	be	reviewing
may	be	asking
can	be	learning
must	be	trying

CERTAINTY

Progressive Modals, like all Modals, are used to show how sure, or certain, we are about an event, idea, or action taking place.

Degree of Certainty	Progressive Modal Examples
High Degree – Absolutely Certain will, can	He will be practicing all weekend long for his recital. He can be practicing both after school and on weekends.
Medium Degree – Very Certain must, should	He must be feeling both nervous and excited for his performance. He should be feeling proud of his hard work.
Low Degree – Somewhat Certain may, might, could	He may be needing a vacation after he is finished!
	He might be asking a friend to join him.
	He could be playing the piano for years to come.

While Progressive Modals can be used to express ability, likelihood, obligation, and the other purposes that all Modals have, degrees of certainty and doubt are one of the most common ways you will use Progressive Modals.

MORE WAYS TO USE PROGRESSIVE MODALS

Auxiliary/Modal Verb + Be	Purpose	Example
will be might be may be can be could be must be	likelihood–the chance (small or big) of something happening in the future	You must be feeling exhausted! We might be going to the zoo tomorrow.
can be could be	ability–whether a thing can be done or not	I can be eating an entire pizza while also watching TV. I could be fixing this broken sink while you work on the dishwasher.
should be	advice–suggestion	You should be getting plenty of fresh air. She should be studying for her final exams.
will be shall be	future–a prediction of what may happen	You will be practicing modals in many writing assignments. *Shall is a more formal form of “will.” It’s common in Britain and rarely used in the United States.

Do I Get It?

Use the interactive below to test your knowledge of progressive modals: