Division of Oriental Mindoro – Nabuslot NationaL High School – English Department

English 9
Quarter 1 – Week 1 and 2

Most Essential Learning Competency

 Express permission, obligation and prohibition using modals

Lesson
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
1

The world is a battlefield which offers the worst and best experiences. There
are times that we tend to surrender because we may feel neglected,
unappreciated, or abandoned. But these are only challenges that test how
resilient we are as individuals.
Despite all the odds, we need to persevere and remain intact. By changing
our viewpoint in life amidst chaos and uncertainties, we can have a 180 degree
turn that somehow defines how we view the essence of life in a positive way. It
may be a difficult task, but every effort you exert is an important milestone
towards triumph. At the end of the day, our renewed desire to live after facing all
challenges is the best way to embrace life positively and purposefully without
giving up.
The chosen activities that you will encounter in this module will allow you
enhance your understanding of the needed concepts and themes that will develop
your written and spoken communication skills using the target Most Essential
Learning Competency.

What’s New

As the grammar focus of the lesson, the notes below are intended to give
you the necessary knowledge and skills in understanding better the forms,
functions, and other key concepts about modals. Sample sentences and various
activities are formed to initiate healthy discussion to facilitate learning.
Modals are auxiliary or helping verbs that indicate the mode or manner of
the actions. When use alone, they do not give complete meanings. But when they
are paired with other verbs, they change the meaning of these verbs.

Nature of Modals
 Use the base form of the word with the modal. Modals do not change form.
 Modals never end in “s” even in the third person singular.
 Combine the base form of the verb with the modals – not with the infinitive
“to.”
 Use “not” to make modal verbs negative.
  Modals are also used to form questions:
 Do not use double modals.

Modals are used to express ability, possibility, probability, permission,

obligation, etc. However, this discussion will only focus on the three functions of
modals- to express permission, obligation, and prohibition.

MODALS OF PERMISSION
The modal verbs expressing permission are may, could and can. It means
that something is allowed and can be done. Modals of permission also show
politeness and respect.
1. May is the most formal and polite modal verb to use to ask for permission.
Examples:
a. May I speak to Mark, please?
b. You may join them as soon as you finished your tasks here.
2. When being polite, or wanting to show respect, could is a better choice than
can as it is a more polite form than 'can.'
a. Could you lend me the laptop?
b. Could we go home now?
Could when we want to say that somebody had general permission to do
something in the past.
a. When I was five, I could easily ride a bike.
b. Before the COVID-19 scare, we could gather everywhere in the streets.
3. Can is less formal and more direct than 'could.' When asking in a simple or
direct way we use 'can.
a. You can ask him. He is approachable.
b. Can you do me a favor?
Source: “Modals.” BCCC Tutoring Center, accessed July 25, 2020.
https://www.bucks.edu/media/bcccmedialibrary/tutoring/documents/writingareahandoutrevision/aeslandgrammar/Modals-.pdf

MODALS OF OBLIGATION

There are two types of modal verbs of obligation; those that primarily
express a firm obligation or necessity - must and have to - and those that
express a recommendation or moral obligation - should and ought to.
1. Must shows us that the obligation comes from the speaker.
a. We must pay our taxes to contribute for the country’s economy.
b. I must wear face masks especially in crowded places.
2. Have to is used when the obligation comes from someone else, not the speaker;
for an action that is necessary because of rules.
a. We have to be at the school two hours before the program starts.
b. You have to do all the homework.
3. When we want to talk about obligation we are talking about the right thing to
do.
 a. Children should know how to respect older people.
b. Yvnna Cinderelle ought to assist the volunteers in the outreach program.
Source: “Modal verbs of obligation.” Lingua Press, accessed July 25, 2020. http://linguapress.com/grammar/modal-obligation.htm

MODALS OF PROHIBITION

Modal verbs are used for prohibition. These situations are the opposite of
giving permission. This modal verbs for prohibition lesson shows you how to use
may and can to prohibit someone or create rules.
Can is a modal often used to ask for and give permission. It means
something is allowed and can be done.
Both cannot (can’t) and must not (mustn’t) are modals used to show that
something is prohibited – it is not allowed.
1. Can't' usually gives the idea of something that is against the rules.
a. Christine Joy can’t enter the school because she has no ID.
b. Ma. Cecilia can’t drive the car unless she has driver’s license.
2. Mustn’t usually means that it is the speaker who is setting the rule.
a. Parent to child: You mustn’t insult your brother in front of the crowd.
b. Teacher to student: You mustn't be late to class next time.

What’s More

Before answering the next task, take a good look at this key
concept about the other functions of the modals- can, could, and
may.
Modals can create different meanings depending on their functions in the
sentence. The modals can, could, and may are not always used to express
permission (politeness and respect). Can and could express ability or possibility.
May, on the other hand, is used to state a wish or possibility while might denotes
less probability.
Examples:
a. Ability: She can excellently edit the video using Adobe Premier.
b. Past Ability: I could eat junk foods when I was younger.
c. Wish: May your dreams come true as you face uncertainties in life!
d. Possibility: He may be able to assist you in preparing your documents.
e. Less Probability: It might rain today.
Source: Learn English Online. “Modal Verbs for Prohibition.” Accessed July 24, 2020. http://www.learnenglish
online.com/grammar/modals/prohibition.html

What is it
Activity 2: MIXED WORDS
Direction: Arrange the words in the box to form meaningful
sentences that express permission, prohibition, and obligation.

1. submit to I homework tomorrow have my.

 2. the you eat in library not must.

3. your may I lecture use?

4. photoshop can an use tool effectively editing I as .

5. riding wear should motorcycle helmet

while you your.

Activity 3: ON THE OTHER SIDE

Directions: Complete the sentences with can, could, and may. Determine their
function if they are used to express permission, ability, past ability, wish, or
probability.
STATEMENT ANSWER FUNCTION
1. Rio is a food lover. As a matter of fact, he _______
cook delicious sea foods.
2. Traffic _____ be heavy during rush hours.
3. ______ you have more birthdays to come!
4. _______ you give me your details for our project?
5. You_____ pass the exam if you will study.

Activity 4: CONNECT ME!

Directions: Match the two sentence halves and write a – j next to the number 1 –
10.

_____1. May I go with you this
weekend?
_____2. Could you tell me where the
comfort room is?
_____3. Could you lend me 100 pesos,
please?
_____4. Would you mind passing me
that songbook, please?
_____5. Can you give me your
password?
_____6. Shall we eat?
_____7. Can we take that alcoholic
drinks?
_____8. Would you mind if I closed the
window?
_____9. Is it okay if we use your car?
_____10. Are we permitted to stay near
a. Yes, please. It’s too windy.
b. Yes. Of course. But you have to
secure your license first.
c. No. It’s a restricted area.
d. No, we can’t. We’re too minor.
e. Oh. I’m really hungry. Let’s go.
f. No, it’s too personal.
g. Yes, of course. Here it is.
h. Yes, of course. I want your company.
i. Yes, sure. It’s in the second floor.
j. I suppose so. But I need the amount
 the hospital?
Modal be returned
verbs are incredibly versatile and are used before
for several Monday.
different functions in the
English language. This is why they’re absolutely essential for your students. Here are just
What I Have Learned
some of the things they’re used for:
Permission: Modal verbs like “can,” “could” and “may” are all used for giving or asking for
permission. You can use these in constructing polite questions and statements both in
written and spoken communications.
Prohibition: They can be used in the opposite way too. You can use words like “can’t” and
“mustn’t” to set rules and boundaries or give orders.
Obligation: If you say that expressions “I need to do my homework” and “ I must come to
class on time,” these means that these are obligations, and things they have no choice in.

Answer Key

What is it Activity 4: Connect

Activity 2: MIXED WORDS Me!
1. H 6. E
1. I have to submit my 2. I 7. D
homework tomorrow. 3. J 8. A
2. You must not eat in the 4. G 9. B

library. 5. F 10. D

3. May I use your lecture?

4. I can effectively use
photoshop as an editing tool.
5. You should wear helmet
while reading motorcycle.

What’s More
Activity 3: ON THE OTHER SIDE
STATEMENT ANSWER FUNCTION
1. Rio is a food lover. As a matter of fact, he _______ cook can Ability
delicious sea foods.
2. Traffic _____ be heavy during rush hours. could possibility
3. ______ you have more birthdays to come! May Wish
4. _______ you give me your details for our project? Could permission
5. You_____ pass the exam if you will study. might Less
probability
REFERENCES

Book

Almonte, L,et.al. A Journey through Anglo-American Literature. Department

of Education. Sunshine Interlinks Publishing House, Inc., 2014.

Website Content

BradshawEnglish10A. “You can encounter many defeats, but you must not
be defeated.” Accessed July 25, 2020.
ttp://bradshawenglish10a.blogspot.com/2015/02/you-can-encounter-
many-defeats-but-you.html

BCCC Tutoring Center. “Modals.” Accessed July 25, 2020.

https://www.bucks.edu/media/bcccmedialibrary/tutoring/documents/wri
tingareahandoutrevision/aeslandgrammar/Modals-.pdf

Fluento. “5 Must-use Exercises for Teaching ESL Modal Verbs.” Accessed

July 15, 2020. https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/teaching-
esl-modal-verbs-2/

Learn English Online. “Modal Verbs for Prohibition.” Accessed July 24,
2020. http://www.learnenglish

Lingua Press. “Modal verbs of obligation.” Accessed July 25, 2020.

http://linguapress.com/grammar/modal-obligation.htm

Washington County: Oregon. “Posters in Multiple Languages.” Accessed

July 15, 2020.
https://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/CommunicableDiseases/COVID-
19/posters-in-multiple-languages.cfm

Name: ______________________________________________________ Section: _________

*Submit only Assessment 1 and 2 on the scheduled day of retrieval of your
Self-Learning Modules.
English 9 Quarter 1 Week 1 and 2
Activity 5: COVID ALERT! / Assessment 1
DIRECTIONS: Study the pictures below. Compose clear and coherent sentences
using modals. Underline the modal/s that you use.

The following emergency warning signs about the possible spread of

COVID-19 should be given attention. As an information dissemination campaign
of your locality, be informed by constructing coherent sentences about the
message of the pictures. As a citizen, what should you do when you see warning
signs like these?

1._____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
____________________________________.

2._____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
____________________________________.

3._____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
4._____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________________.

5._____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
____________________________________
Activity 6: MODALS’ MODE/ Assessment 2
DIRECTIONS: Study the following
Source: “Posters sentences.
in Multiple Languages.” Write
Washington County: theaccessed
Oregon, letterJulyof the correct
15, 2020.
ttps://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/CommunicableDiseases/COVID-19/posters-in-multiple-languages.cfm
answer on the space provided. Use the Zipgrade Form in answering.

_____1. Josie has a lot of work tomorrow. She _____ be late. (Prohibition)
 A. should B. can C. may D. must not
_____2. You _____ save some money. (Obligation)
A. may B. must C. can D. could
_____3. Children _____ respect the elders. (Moral obligation)
A. should B. must C. can D. could
_____4. Parents _____ send their children to school. (Moral obligation)
A. should B. will C. can D. could
_____5. ____ you speak louder when delivering your lines? (Ability)
A. Should B. Must C. Can D. Could
_____6. You ____ proceed, Ma’am. The delegates are limited. (Prohibition)
A. should B. must C. cannot D. could
_____7. _______ I smoke here? (Permission)
A. Should B. Must C. May D. Could
_____8. If you want to lose weight, you ______ eat so much chocolate, so many
candies, or drink beer every night. (Obligation)
A. should not B. will not C. cannot D. would not
_____9. You _____ stop when the traffic light is red. (Obligation)
A. may B. must C. can D. could
_____10. I ______ write legibly during my grade school days. (Ability in the past)
A. might B.
should C. can
D. could