MODAL VERBS

EXPRESS PROHIBITION
What IS PROHIBITION?
- is a statement that does not allow an
action.
-modal verbs for prohibition are used when
we want to say that something is not
allowed or permitted.
PROHIBITION

can’t- cannot
mustn’t- must not
Can't
- is use in dealing with
something that is against the
rule, law or sign posted

- is the most common way to

prohibit something in English.
Examples:

We can’t play outside during

the quarantine.

“You can’t drive a vehicle

without a license, sir.”

Shhh, you can’t be too loud

in the library.
Mustn’t

- The modal mustn’t or must not

- it deals with something that is

not allowed but, in the context,
the speaker sets the rule.
examples:
Hey! You mustn't bring your
shoes inside the house, young
man.
You must not stay up late at
night.
You mustn’t speak while the
teacher is speaking.
Let’s try this!

Pedestrians ____
___ ___ ____.

Pedestrians can’t cross the

street.
Let’s try this!

___ ___ ___ when

your ___ is full.

You mustn't speak when

your mouth is full.
Let’s try this!

“I’m sorry but __ __

__ __ ___ ____.”

“I’m sorry but you can’t go

beyond this point.”
Let’s try this!

“ You __ __ __ __ __
without wearing
safety equipment.”

You mustn’t go the beach

without wearing safety
equipment.”
Let’s try this!
My teacher gave me
my homework, I __
forget to do it
tonight!

My teacher gave me my homework,

I mustn’t forget to do it tonight!
Let’s try this!

“You ___ go over

the fence”.
It says so on that
sign!

“You can’t go over the fence.

Other negative modals

The verbs not, not allowed and

don’t also express prohibition
Examples:
1. I am not allowed to play computer
games in the week.
2. My parents don’t allow me to go
out during the quarantine.
Other negative modals
mustn’t- it is necessary that you do not
do something
e.q. You mustn’t use your mobile
phone in class.
don’t have to-you don’t need to do it,
or it is not necessary, but you can, if you
want
e.q. You don’t have to text Luis,
he is just over there.
Other negative modals
– modals use in the past are:
couldn’t;
didn’t let;
not allowed somebody;
were not allowed; and
were not permitted to;
EXAMPLES:
I couldn’t ride my bike to
school because my
mother thought it was
dangerous.

We weren’t allowed
to use a dictionary in
the exam yesterday.
Let’s try this!

At Christmas, Sofie ____

go skiing as the doctor
said to stay in her bed.

At Christmas, Sofie couldn’t go

skiing as the doctor said to stay in
her bed.
Let’s try this!

In this restaurant
you ____ wear a
tie.

In this restaurant you don’t have to

wear a tie.
Let’s try this!

My brother ____
wear uniform at his
school.

My brother doesn’t have to wear

uniform at his school.
Let’s try this!
We _____ get up early on
weekends.
We don’t have to get up early on
weekends.
I _____ cook dinner tonight.
I don’t have to cook dinner tonight.
 Code: prohibition
◦ Directions: Work in pairs. Write ten rules for studying in English class
◦ using modal verb of prohibition. Also, explain why you need each rule.

can‘t
mustn‘t
don’t have to
weren’t allowed to
doesn’t have to
not allowed to