ENGLISH 9

FIRST QUARTER-WEEK 1

Learning Competency: Express permission, obligation, and prohibition using modals

Introduction
The lesson prepared for you in this module will highlight universal human values that remain
the same throughout the years. This will guide you in your journey through life and will help you realize
that no matter how different you might become in the future, your value system should remain intact
the way you think, speak and interact with others.

Brief Introduction:

Asking for permission to do something takes many different forms. Perhaps you need to get
permission to do something at work, or perhaps you need to ask a friend for permission to use one of
her possessions, or maybe you need to ask the teacher if you can leave room for a moment or two.
Remember to use polite forms when asking for permission to do something or use an object as you are
asking a favor of that person.
Modal verbs ‘can’, ‘could’ and ‘may’ are used to politely ask for permission, to make a request,
and to offer help to someone.

Key Points
Expressing Permission

Permission is a consent or agreement given to a request. It is usually expressed by using

modals of permission: can, could, or may + verb (base form).

Modal Function Sample Sentence

May A polite modal verb used to ask for or give a. May I use a calculator on the test?
permission. You may use a calculator on the test.
b. May I have another piece of cake?
You may have another piece of cake.
c. You may leave once you are done.

Could It is less formal than using may.
It is used to say that someone was
allowed to do something in the past.
a. Could I have some more juice?
You could have some more juice.
b. Could I bring a friend to the party?
You could bring a friend to the party.
c. We could go the beach whenever we
wanted.
(in the past before the pandemic)

Can It is the least formal of the modal verbs a. Can I play music? You can play music.
used to ask or give permission. b. Can I wear shorts? You can wear shorts.
It is used to say that someone is allowed c. I can visit my eldest sister once the ECQ is
to do something. lifted.

Might It is rarely used in this way as it's a. Might I ask whether it is better to postpone
 considered old fashioned usage, the opening of classes to a further date?
however, educated and polite people still b. Might I trouble you with a glass of water,
use it to indicate politeness and show please?
respect.

Expressing Obligation

Modals of Obligation are helping verbs or phrasal verbs that express necessity or obligation to
do something because it is right and it is within the rules set in a certain social norm or situation. Must,
Have to, Need to, are the most common modals of obligation followed by a verb.
Obligation is a sense of duty demanded by conscience, custom or gratitude. It is expressed by modals
seen in the table below with their examples in sentences.

Modal Function Sample Sentence

Obligations a. I must go to the doctor, I don’t feel
Must Use must when the well.
(it is followed obligation comes from the b. I must have my homework ready
by a base verb) speaker. tonight.
c. I must stop smoking.
Use 'must' to express
something that you or a d. I must finish this work before I leave.
person feels is e. Must you work so hard?
necessary. This form is f. John must explain this if he wants his
used only in the present students to succeed.
and future. g. It's late. I must get going!

Has to Responsibilities a. We have to be at the airport three

(singular) We use has to hours before the flight leaves.
Have to /have to when the b. At work I have to wear uniform.
(plural) obligation comes c. My father has to pay the rent every
from someone month.
else, not the
speaker; for an
action that is
necessary
because of rules.
Use 'have to' in the d. We have to get up early.
past, present, and e. She had to work hard yesterday.
future to express f. They will have to arrive early.
responsibility or g. Does he have to go?
necessity. NOTE:
'have to' is
conjugated as a
regular verb and
therefore requires
an auxiliary verb in
the question
form or negative.
Need to Important to do a. She needs to go to Seattle next week.
Use 'need to' to b. Do you need to get up early tomorrow?
 express that
something is
important for you to
do. This form is
usually used for
something that is
important one time,
rather than referring
to a responsibility or
duty.
should It is weak obligation
and we use it to give
advice.
don’t have to Not Required, but Possible
It is used to show
that there is no
obligation.
The negative form of
'have to' expresses
the idea that
something is not
required. It is
however, possible if
so desired.
c. I need to spend more time with my
children because I've been so busy
lately.
d. We need to focus on getting new
business this month.
a. Children should cooperate with their
parents.
a. In this restaurant you don’t have to wear
a tie.
b. My brother doesn’t have to wear uniform
at his school.
c. We don’t have to get up early on
weekends.
d. You don't have to arrive before 8.
e. They didn't have to work so hard.
f. We don't have to work overtime on
Saturdays.
g. She didn't have to attend the
presentation.

You don't

Expressing Prohibition

Modals of Prohibition are helping verbs with NOT expressing unwillingness to allow someone or
something to happen because of policies, rules and norms in the society. Examples of these are must not,
cannot, could not, need not, may not with another verb in its base form. The modal verbs “can’t”, “must not”, and
“may not” are used for prohibition. These situations are the opposite of giving permission.

Modal Function Sample Sentence

must not It is used to say that a. You must not smoke.
something is against the b. You must not use your cell phone
Contraction rules or against the law. when not required.
Mustn’t It is the strongest way to c. You must not be late for your online
prohibit something. classes.
It usually means that it is d. You must not go out if you are below 21.
the speaker who is e. She must not use such horrible
setting the rule. language.
It is usually used when f. Tom. You must not play with fire.
the obligation comes g. You must not drive more than 25 mph in
from the person who is this zone.
speaking. h. The children must not go into the street.
need not lack of necessity/absence of a. I need not buy tomatoes. There are
Contraction obligation plenty of tomatoes in the fridge.
needn’t
may not It is the formal way to prohibit a. You may not eat in the conference
something. room.
b. You may not allow to go outside because
you are a minor.
c. You may not enter the mall establishment
without wearing a face mask.

Cannot It usually gives the idea
Contraction of something that is
can’t against the rules.
It is the most common
way to prohibit
something in English. It
is not as formal as must
not or may not, but it is
the most common. It is
normally used to show
inability, but in the
following examples it
shows prohibition. It is
like you are saying you
do not have the ability
because of the rules.
a. You cannot go out tonight. You’ve got
homework.
b. You cannot go into that restaurant
without a tie.
c. You cannot drive in this country unless
you are over eighteen.
d. You cannot smoke in public places.
e. You can’t park your car here.
f. A minor can’t drive a car.
g. Drivers mustn't park their cars
anywhere.

References

abc Grammar. 2020. My English Pages. Accessed September 30, 2020.

https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-modals.php.

Modal verbs and their meaning.MyEnglishPages.com. Accessed October 12, 2020.

https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-modals.php

How to Use Must, Have to, and Need to in English. Thoughtco. January 17, 2020. Accessed October
12, 2020. https://www.thoughtco.com/must-have-to-and-need-to-in-english-4177288