Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Caraga Administrative Region
Schools Division of Siargao
SAPAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte

MODALS
- According to Grammarly, Modals are auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) used to express certain hypothetical
conditions, such as advice, capability, or requests (there’s a full list in the next section). They’re used
alongside a main verb to change its meaning slightly. Because they’re auxiliary verbs, they can’t necessarily
be used on their own.
1. Arnel may read the resignation letter. (May)
2. Can Ritchel sing at the party? (Can)
3. The Sarigumba family should divide the ten-hectare land. (Should)
4. The patient must take his medicines for his heart ailment. (Must)
5. Friends must not betray one another. (Must not)

Obligation Permission Prohibition

Must May Must not

Will Can Cannot

Shall May not

Modals of Permission are modals used in asking and in giving permission.

Can, could, and may are modals of permission.
- The modal of permission Can is used to ask permission in an informal way. This can be used in day-to-
day conversations or in informal speech.
Ex. Can I use your ballpen? (Addressed to a friend)
Can you pass me the salt? (Addressed to a family member)
You can bring your toys at the picnic tomorrow. (A mother giving permission to her child)
Lilith can join us for dinner tonight. (Someone giving permission)
- The modal of permission Could is used to ask permission in a less informal way. Could is more polite
than Can. This can be used in informal speech or conversations.
Ex. Mr. Reyes, could you pass these documents to the office? (A worker to a co-worker)
Could I bring my friends to your party? (Asking permission to a friend)

- The modal of permission May is used to ask permission in a formal way. This can be used in formal
speech or formal written text.
Ex. Sir, may I speak up? (Asking to speak from a teacher)
May I know your name, Ma’am? (Asking for someone’s name formally)
Modals of Obligation
- This modal has two usages: to express a firm obligation or necessity (must, will, & have to)
Ex:
• Shiela must go to school today. (Shiela is a student thus it is her obligation to go to school. The modal
“must” was used to show the necessity of the action to be done)
• You have to wear mask at all times. (The pandemic is still upon us, therefore it is a necessity for a
masked to be worn at all times. The modal “have to” was used in the sentence to put emphasis for the
action as an obligation)
 The modals “have to” and “must” have equal value and usage. They can be used interchangeably.
However, “must” is commonly used in everyday conversation because of conciseness.
• Harry will come to the party tonight. (The speaker is telling that Harry will come to the party tonight
indefinitely. The modal “will” was used to show strong determination that the action will be done in the
near future.

- and to express a recommendation or moral obligation (shall, should, & ought to).
Ex:
• You should go home now. (The speaker urges someone to go home, however he/she is not obligated to
follow the speaker’s advice. The modal should was used to show that the action was a
recommendation.)
• Should I wake up the children? (The speaker is suggesting to wake up the children, however he/she is
not sure of a positive answer. The modal “should” was used in the sentence because it is just a
suggestion, however the speaker is not sure if he/he will receive a positive response. )
Note: Ruling tells us that the modal “should” be used if the speaker is not quite sure of a positive answer.

• You ought to tell mom about your secret. (The speaker urges someone to tell his/her secret, however it
is not obligatory for the person to follow what the speaker had said. The modal ought to was used to
show that the action was a recommendation.)
• The children shall help their parents. (The sentence tells us that the action will be done soon. The modal
”shall” was used to show that the action will be done in the near future, however it does not entail that
the doer of the action has strong determination in doing the action.
• Shall we go for a dance? ( The speaker asked someone for a dance. He/she is quite sure of a positive
answer with the request. The modal “shall” was used in the sentence as it is a polite suggestion.
 ⮚ Ruling tells us that the modal “shall” be used if the speaker is quite sure of a positive answer.

⮚ Shall is only used with I or we. It is used instead of will only in formal English

Modals of Obligation
- This modal has two usages: to express a firm obligation or necessity (must, will, & have to)
Ex:

● Shiela must go to school today. (Shiela is a student thus it is her obligation to go to school. The
modal “must” was used to show the necessity of the action to be done)

● You have to wear mask at all times. (The pandemic is still upon us, therefore it is a necessity for
a masked to be worn at all times. The modal “have to” was used in the sentence to put
emphasis for the action as an obligation)

⮚ The modals “have to” and “must” have equal value and usage. They can be used
interchangeably. However, “must” is commonly used in everyday conversation because
of conciseness.

● Harry will come to the party tonight. (The speaker is telling that Harry will come to the party
tonight indefinitely. The modal “will” was used to show strong determination that the action
will be done in the near future.

- and to express a recommendation or moral obligation (shall, should, & ought to).
Ex:

● You should go home now. (The speaker urges someone to go home, however he/she is not
obligated to follow the speaker’s advice. The modal should was used to show that the action
was a recommendation.)

● Should I wake up the children? (The speaker is suggesting to wake up the children, however
he/she is not sure of a positive answer. The modal “should” was used in the sentence because it
is just a suggestion, however the speaker is not sure if he/he will receive a positive response.)

⮚ Ruling tells us that the modal “should” is used if the speaker is not quite sure of a
positive answer.

● You ought to tell mom about your secret. ( The speaker urges someone to tell his/her secret,
however it is not obligatory for the person to follow what the speaker had said. The modal
ought to was used to show that the action was a recommendation.)
 ● The children shall help their parents. (The sentence tells us that the action will be done soon.
The modal ”shall” was used to show that the action will be done in the near future, however it
does not entail that the doer of the action has strong determination in doing the action.

● Shall we go for a dance? (The speaker asked someone for a dance. He/she is quite sure of a
positive answer with the request. The modal “shall” was used in the sentence as it is a polite
suggestion.

⮚ Ruling tells us that the modal “shall” be used if the speaker is quite sure of a positive
answer.

⮚ Shall is only used with I or we. It is used instead of will only in formal English.

Modals of Prohibition are used to show prohibition.

- The prohibition can be subjective (speaker’s opinion) or objective (fact, real law, or rule.)
- Modal of prohibition is made by adding “not” to a modal.
Ex.
You may say my name.
Modal of permission Main Verb

You may not say my name.

Modal of prohibition Main Verb
- Examples of modals of prohibition are: must not, cannot, and may not.
- Must not is used for prohibitions that are stated from law, fact, or rule.
Ex. People must not drive without a license.
You must not cheat.
You must not skip class.
- Cannot and may not are used to express prohibition in general or in a formal way, respectively.
Ex. You cannot eat sweets.
Elize may not enter the house. The dogs hate her.
Read the dialogue below.
Mr. Flores: Good morning, Joseph.
Joseph: Good morning, Mr. Flores. May I come in?
Mr. Flores: You may. Can you close the door for me?
Joseph: Yes, Sir.
Mr. Flores: Joseph, please get your book, so you and I will review on modals for your exam. You
must learn how to use them.
Joseph: I am sorry, Mr. Flores. I left my book.
Mr. Flores: You must not forget to bring your book. You shall bring it tomorrow.
Joseph: Yes, Sir.
Mr. Flores: We will use my book. You must be ready when we start the review. Please get your
notebook and pen. By the way, you cannot use your phone during the tutorial.
Joseph: Yes, Mr. Flores. Anyway, you may not teach me until 12:00 in the afternoon. Mother and
Father will pick me up at 11:00 in the morning. I need to see a doctor.
Mr. Flores: Ok, Joseph. Let us begin our study.