Vhyishelate?
Enrique is always on time for class but today he is late, uggest reasons using must, might, could, or may.
1 Is he still asleep? (might) He wight still be asleep.
2 Is he ill? (must)
3 Is he in the coffee bar? (might)
3
4
5
3 The continuous infinitive
1 The continuous infinitive is used after a modal verb of probability to express a possible activity in progress at the moment.
His office light's on. He must be working late.
It's only 9.10. They can't be having a break yet.
Complete the conversations with suitable verbs in the continuous infinitive.
1 A Do you know where Ben is?
B I'm not sure. He may bejrtayjMg games on the computer.
2 A Where's Birgit? B She's upstairs. She must_to music
in her room. A She's not in her room.
B Try the bathroom. She might_
a shower.
A I can't find the thing that changes the TV channel. B The remote control? Stand up. You could
_on it.
A Have you seen the newspaper?
B I think James picked it up. He may_it.
A What's that noise?
B It sounds like an ambulance. They must
_someone to hospital.
A Look over there! It's Kate and Alex.
B She can't_his hand. She doesn't
like him.
A They must_out together. I don't
believe it! A What's happening outside? B It sounds like workmen. They must
_up the road outside.
A What for?
B I don't know. They could_a broken
water pipe.
4 Does he have a doctor's appointment? (could) 3
5 Is he stuck in a traffic jam? (may) _ 4
6 Is his bus late? (might) __5
7 Does he want to miss the test? (must)
Rewrite the sentences in exercise 1 with can't. Then give a reason.
1 He can't still be asleep because he always gets up yerxMriy^
2 _
7
Unit 9 • Relationships 57