Asian Development Foundation College

Tacloban City

Topic: Modals

Lesson No.:1

Learning Outcome(s): Express permission, obligation, and prohibition using modals.

Method(s) of Assessment: Exercises, Activity, Quiz

Key Concept(s):

Modals are used with a main verb to show mood and ideas such as ability, advice,
possibility and permission, obligation, and prohibition.

Key Terms:
1. Permission
2. Obligation
3. Prohibition
 Asian Development Foundation College
Tacloban City

Lesson No. 1

Modals
What are modals?

Modals are used with a main verb to show mood and ideas such as ability, advice,
possibility and permission, obligation, and prohibition.

There are a lot of modal verbs but we will focus on the three modals – Permission,
Obligation and Prohibition

Permission
- Expresses to allow something to happen or to be done.

It includes the modals:

Can
Could
May
Might

We often use can to ask permission and give permission.

Ex.
Can I leave now? (asking for permission)
You can take that if you want it. (giving permission)
Can I have a sushi tonight? (asking for permission)

We also use could to ask for permission (but not to give it). Could is more formal than
can.
Ex.
Could I open the window?
Could you please by these things?
Could I borrow your phone for a moment?
 Asian Development Foundation College
Tacloban City

May is the most formal to ask for and give permission.

Ex.
May I see your passport?
These pages may be photocopied for classroom use.
After the exams you may visit your parents.
Might is a very formal modal and is not use very often; it is also classified as a
possibility modals
Ex.
Might I ask your name?
Might I ask how you know about our company?

Prohibition
- Means something is not allowed.

It includes the modals:

Can’t
Mustn’t

Can’t to show that something is prohibited.

Ex.
You can’t take photos inside the studio.
You can’t enter in any establishments without face mask and face shield.
Sorry, we can’t sell cigarettes to minors.

Must not or Mustn’t

We use must not to talk about was is not permitted. It is common on public signs and
notices informing people of rules and laws.
Ex.
Customers must not park in the staff car park.
Baggage must not be left unattended.
Boarders must not make noise after 10pm.
 Asian Development Foundation College
Tacloban City

We use mustn’t particularly when the prohibition comes from a speaker.

Ex.
(As a parent talking to his/her child)
You mustn’t go out it is still dangerous.
(a teacher speaking to a student says)
You mustn’t loiter in the ways.

Modals of Obligation

Obligation is something we have to do or a commitment/duty.

It includes the modals:
Must
Have to
Need to
Can’t

We use have to and must to express obligation. There is a slight difference between
the way we use them.

Have to shows us that obligation comes from outside the speaker. Perhaps the rule is a
general law or obligation.
We sometimes call this as external obligation.

Ex.
We have to wear our complete uniform every day.
You have to wear your ID with in the school premises.
Tala has to come today, so that she can still finish her work before leaving
to Manila.