English 9

English 9
Express permission, prohibition

and obligation using modals
What is a Modal?
A modal is a kind of auxiliary (helping) verb
that is used to express: ability, possibility,
permission or obligation.
Modal verbs are used before an action word

like dance, sing or play to add meaning to this
word.
What is a Modal?
Modal verbs ‘can’, ‘could’ and ‘may’ are used
to politely ask for permission, to make a request,
and to offer help to someone.
Here are the following rules of the use of

different modals that express permission;
Can
It is used to ask for permission or to make a request:
 Can I have some cookies? – Yes, you can.
 Can I borrow your pen, please? – Sure!
 Can I use your bathroom? – Of course!
It’s also used to say that someone is allowed to do
something in the present.
I can get you a drink.
He can keep your secret forever.
They can sing.
Could
It is used as a little more polite than ‘can’, so it is used in
more formal situations, like talking to your boss or a stranger,
or to ask for something more important:
• Excuse me, could I sit here, please?
• Could I have your attention, sir?
• Could you tell me the way to the town center, please?
It’s also used to say that someone is allowed to do something

in the past.
• I could sleep early last night.
• She could go to SM Tarlac alone yesterday.
• They could buy me medicines last week.
May
It is similar to ‘could’ but it is even
more polite, and also a little old-
fashioned, so it is not used as often.
• May I make an appointment for
Tuesday? – Yes, you may.
• May I begin? – Of course.
• May I have a glass of water? – Sure,
here you are.
Let’s look at some more
examples and try to answer
what is being asked in each
item.
Situation:
It is 12 noon and the temperature is high. How
will you ask the teacher so you will be allowed to
open some of the windows.
Which one is appropriate to say?

a.Can I open the window? b. May I open the
window?
ACTIVITY
Directions: Read each sentence then underline
the correct modal that best completes each
statement.
1. I left my purse at home. Lily, (MAY/COULD) you lend me ten dollars?
2. When he was young, he (CAN/COULD) swim very well. He won medals
and certificates.
3. You look very confused on your homework, Clive. (CAN/COULD) I
help you?
4. (CAN/MAY) I have a glass of water? – Sure, here you are.
5. (COULD/CAN) I use your bathroom? – Of course!
ACTIVITY
Directions: Read the following
statements. Then, write a sentence
expressing permission using an
appropriate modal based on the given
situation.
1. You’re a child and you formally ask a teacher for permission to
leave the room.________________________________________.
2. You ask your mom for permission to go to a party tonight. You are
polite but don’t use
‘may’______________________________________
3. Tell your friend that everyone has permission to wear any kind of
socks to
school._____________________________________________.
4. Ask a friend for permission to use her phone. Be
informal.____________________________________.
5. Tell your friend that he has permission to have another biscuit.
__________________________________________________.
PERFORMANCE TASK
Directions: Compose a script
(short dialogue) with the speakers
asking or expressing permission
using can, could and may
appropriately. Your script should
contain two (2) of each modal.
Modal verbs are also used to state prohibition.
These situations are the opposite of giving permission.
Words or expressions that show prohibition: not
allowed to, not permitted, forbidden to, do not,
cannot, must not
Here are the following rules of the different modals

that express prohibition:
CANNOT/ CAN’T
Is the most common way to prohibit something
in English.
When it is against the rules or when something
is prohibited.
It is not as formal as must not or may not, but it
is the most common. Here are some examples:
• You cannot park your car inside the school
grounds.
• You can’t smoke in the office.
MUST NOT
We use must not to say that something is not
permitted or allowed.
*Must is an auxiliary verb. It is followed by a
main verb.
Subject + (Auxillary) + main verb

must not/
must+not
For example:
• Passengers must not talk to the driver.
We often contract must not to mustn't
• You mustn’t disturb him.
The prohibition can be subjective (the
speaker's opinion) or objective (a real law or
rule).
For example:
• Passengers must not talk to the driver.
(subjective)
• You mustn’t bully your classmate. (objective)
Identify the sentences below subjective or objective
• I mustn't eat so much sugar.
• Policemen must not drink on duty.
ACTIVITY
Directions: Observe the first picture below and
read its provided sentence in each illustration. Then
answer your activity by simply writing one (1)
appropriate sentence based on the presented
pictures using a modal expressing prohibition.
Let’s look at the example.

1
3
B. Directions: Answer the following statements. Encircle the letter of
the correct answer.
1. You ____ use calculator during examination.
a. may not b. can’t c. must not
2. The students _____ go to the library because it is closed.
3. People ________ remove their facemask in a crowded place.
4. Claire ______ forget to wash her hands before she eats.
5. Trixie ______ play her violin during class hour.
PERFORMANCE TASK
Directions: Make an informative
poster showing prohibition. Put your
answers in a short bond paper. You
can use any indigenous materials
available at your home or drawing
materials.
MUST and HAVE TO are both used to express
an obligation, responsibility or necessity. While
Must can generally be replaced by Have to in
the present tense, there is sometimes a slight
difference in meaning or use.
Here are the following rules of the different

modals that express obligation:
MUST
A modal that expresses an obligation. It is
used when the speaker decides that something
is necessary or needs to be done.
Must is only used in the present tense and
sometimes to express the future.
The past tense of Must is Had to.
The future tense of Must is Will have to
Example:
• I must write a letter to John. OR
Key Points
• Generally, use must when the speaker decides
that something is necessary or needs to be
done.)
• In this case I have decided that I need to write
a letter to John, nobody else has told me to
write it. I think it is necessary.
HAVE/HAS TO
A modal that expresses an
obligation. It is used when somebody
else other than the speaker has made
the decision.
Use have to. Use had to for past
tense.
Example:
• I have to write a letter to John.
Key Points
• Use have to when somebody else other than
the speaker has made the decision.
• So here, I didn’t decide to write a letter.
Somebody else has told me to write it;
somebody else told me it was necessary to do.
• Use has to if the subject is singular –
third person
Example:
She has to review his lesson today.
• Use had to if the action happens in the

past.
Example:
• They had to submit the project.
ACTIVITY
Directions: Read and analyze
the given sentences then explain
their differences applying the
rules of using must and have to.
Write your answer on the space
provided.
Examples:
A. I must book a hotel for my trip next week.
B.We have to wear a uniform at work.
Explanation
A.Here I am reminding myself that it is necessary to do. I have
decided that it is necessary.
B.Our boss makes us wear a uniform. It is an obligation that our
boss has decided that is necessary. I, the speaker, am not making
this obligation, someone else is.
Set #1
A. The teacher says: You must complete the essay by Friday
B. The student says: We have to complete the essay by Friday.
Explanations:
A._________________________________________________________________
B._________________________________________________________________
Set #2
A. Mike can’t come because he has to work tomorrow.
B. Susan and Steve have to pay their rent every Friday.
Explanations:
A._________________________________________________________________
B._________________________________________________________________
Directions: Answer the following statements. Encircle the letter of
the correct answer that best completes each statement using must or
have to.
1. All employees ________ be on time for work.
a. must b. mustn't c. have to
2. If you are under 13 you _____ get your parents' permission.
a. have to b. must c. mustn’t
3. Your daughter may ________ try on a few different sizes.
a. have to b. had to c. must
4. The doctor _____ get here as soon as he can.
a. must b. mustn't c. have to
5. Bicyclists _____ remember to signal when they turn.
a. mustn't b. must c. have to
MUST and HAVE TO are both used to express an
obligation, responsibility or necessity. However, in
expressing no obligation, use the negative, Must
not/Mustn’t and do not have to or don’t have to.
Here are the following rules of using the negative

expressions in stating obligations;
MUST/MUSTN’T
It means something is prohibited or it is not
allowed.
It is important that you do NOT do something
Example:
1. You mustn’t tell John.
Key Points!
• Do not tell John.
• You are not allowed to tell John.
DON’T HAVE TO
It means there is NO obligation to do
something.
You are not required to do something,
especially if you don’t want to. You can do the
thing if you want to.
Use doesn’t have to if the subject is singular –
third person
Example:
1. He doesn’t have to tell John.
DON’T HAVE TO
Use don’t have to if the subject is plural -
third person, first (I, we) and second person
(you).
Example:
1. You don’t have to tell John.
Didn’t have to for past tense.

Example:
1. He didn’t have to tell John yesterday.
Key Points
• You can tell John if you want

to but it is not necessary. You
decide if you want to.
ACTIVITY
Directions: Read and analyze
the given sentences then explain
their differences applying the
rules of using mustn’t and don’t
have to. Write your answer on the
space provided.
Examples:
Example:
A. She mustn’t come.
B.She doesn’t have to come.
Explanation
A. It is important that she does NOT come. Maybe because we are
organizing a surprise for her and we don’t want her to know about it.
B.Here, we let her know about the meeting or whatever. She is not
required to come but she can if she wants to.
Set #1
A. You must not drink that.
B. You don’t have to drink that.
Explanations:
A._________________________________________________________________
B._________________________________________________________________
Set #2
A. I mustn’t write a letter to John.
B. I don’t have to write a letter to John.
Explanations:
A._________________________________________________________________
B._________________________________________________________________
Directions: Answer the following statements. Complete the sentences
with mustn’t or don’t have to. Write your answer on the space
provided
1. You ________ come if you don’t want to.
2. I ________ be at the meeting but I think I’ll go anyway.
3. Passengers ________ speak to the driver.
4. You ________ eat it if you don’t like it.
5. In boxing, you ________ hit your opponent below the belt.
6. They ________ talk to each other during the exam.
7. You ________ pay for your tickets now but you can if you want.
8. You ________ play with those wires. They’re dangerous.
9. Students _________be late in school for this is one of rules and regulations of
the school.
10. They ________ copy their classmates’ answers .
PERFORMANCE TASK
Construct a simple paragraph giving an
advice to your fellow learners on what to
avoid to maintain safety and protection of
everyone during this pandemic time using the
negative forms of the modals expressing
obligation such as must not, don’t have to,
doesn’t have to and didn’t have to then
underline the modals used.

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English 9

Express permission, prohibition

Modal verbs are used before an action word

Here are the following rules of the use of

It’s also used to say that someone is allowed to do something

Which one is appropriate to say?

Here are the following rules of the different modals

Subject + (Auxillary) + main verb

Let’s look at the example.

Here are the following rules of the different

• Use had to if the action happens in the

Here are the following rules of using the negative

Didn’t have to for past tense.

• You can tell John if you want

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