9

ENGLISH
First Quarter – Module 1

Modals

Locally Developed Self -Learning Material

 Republic of the
Philippines Department of
Education Region III
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF OLONGAPO CITY

Name: _ _ Grade/Section
School: _ _ Date:
_

ENGLISH 9
TITLE: USING MODALS TO EXPRESS PERMISSION
Introduction
A. WHAT ARE MODAL VERBS?
Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special
verbs that are different from normal verbs like "work, play, visit..." They give additional information
about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative
functions
B. WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF MODAL VERBS?

Here is a list of modals with their functions examples:

Modal Verb Function Example

Strong obligation You must stop when the

traffic lights turn red.
Must
logical conclusion / Certainty He must be very tired. He's
been working all day long.

Must not prohibition You must not smoke in the

hospital.

ability I can swim.

permission Can I use your phone

Can please?

possibility Smoking can cause cancer.

ability in the past When I was younger I could

run fast.
Could
polite permission Excuse me, could I just say
something?
 possibility It could rain tomorrow!

permission May I use your phone

please?
May
possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow!

polite permission Might I suggest an idea?

Might
possibility, probability I might go on holiday to
Australia next year.

lack of necessity/absence of I need not buy tomatoes.

obligation There are plenty of tomatoes
Need not in the fridge.

50 % obligation I should / ought to see a

doctor. I have a terrible
headache.
Should/Ought to
advice You should / ought to revise
your lessons.

logical conclusion He should / ought to be very

tired. He's been working all
day long.

Had better advice You 'd better revise your

lessons.

DAY 1-2
There are a number of modals on the list,
but we will only be focusing on modals used to
express permission, obligation, and prohibition.

For the first part, we will only focus on

modals used to express permission.
 II. Discussion:

MODAL VERBS OF PERMISSION

No. Use Positive Negative
Use the modal verbs of permission can
or could to indicate whether someone Students can
1. has permission to do something or register for regular
not. classes beginning next
week.
Use cannot or can't to say that they Children under ten
do not have permission (are not cannot use the pool
allowed) to do something. without adult
supervision.
2. We can also use could to say that We could go to any shop
someone was allowed to do something in the mall we wanted to
in the past. (in the past).

Both staff and students

could use the water
fountain (in the past).
We use could not or couldn't to say We couldn't study in the
that they were not allowed to do it in library after 6 pm (not
the past allowed).
3 We use be allowed to when talking For instance, we would
about permission but not in the sense say "I was allowed to
that you are asking for it or granting stay backstage after my
it. third attempt."
We use not be allowed to when talking Or, "you are not to be
about permission but not in the sense allowed to use your
that you are asking for it or granting it. calculator on your
math's exam."
4 We mostly use 'may' for more formal "Mrs. Smith, may I go to
situations (like in the classroom or at the hall to get a drink of
work) to say that someone is allowed water?"
to do something. "You may go as soon as
you have finished your
exam."
We mostly use 'may not ' for more Retailers may not sell
formal situations (like in the classroom items below the
or at work) to say that someone is not manufacturer's price.
allowed to do something.

5 However, we use the modal verbs "You can borrow my book

of permission 'can' when we are if you want, Diane."
giving permission to others.
"You can go leave work
now, I've got it covered."
 "Tom can go with you."
When refusing permission to someone, “Can I leave early?-
we use negative forms of the modals of “No, you can't.”
permission; cannot = can't, or will not =
won't, or shall not = shan't. “Ill go out on Saturday.”
““You will not!”

“You shan't get any

money until the work is
satisfactorily finished.”

III. Activities:
A. Underline the most appropriate modal of permission to complete the sentences.
1. "I'm sorry, you are not (can’t, allowed to) go backstage without a pass."
2. "Mom (can, won’t) I go with Jill to the school play?
3. Are we (shan’t, allowed to) use our cellphones here?
4. Hello, (can, may) I speak with Ms. Lim please?
5. He (could, can’t) go to school tomorrow. He has a fever.
B. Fill out the chart with the required form of the modal in the spaces.
Positive Form of Modal Negative Form of Modal Contraction of Modal

Can cannot 1.can’t

Could 2.Could not couldn’t
May 3.may not Mayn’t
Shall 4.shall not 5.shan’t
C. Encircle the word that does not belong to the group based on the functions of the
modal. NOTE: Review the introduction.
1. can = Ability prohibition, request
2. could = past ability not allowed polite permission
3. may = obligation permission possibility
4. might = polite permission absence of possibility

IV. Assessment:
Determine the function of the underlined modal of permission. Encircle the letter that
corresponds to your answers. A – Asking for Permission; B- Giving Permission or; C- Saying
someone has permission.
1. Could I have a day off? A B C
2. You may take the day off. A B C
3. Students may use the free hand sanitizer. A B C
4. You may submit you learning activity sheets next week. A B C
5. You can borrow my pen. A B C

V. Reflection:
When do we use modals may and could?
Why is important to know when to use these modals of permission?
 DAY 3-4
TITLE: USING MODALS TO EXPRESS OBLIGATION

Oh! Hi, there! Remember last time we learned about modals of permission? Well, modals are back. Today are going to

I. Objectives:
At the end of this learning activity sheet, you are expected to;

 Supply the appropriate modal to complete the sentences

 Give the appropriate form of the modal being asked
 Analyze the proper usage of modals expressing obligation
 Identify the function of modals of obligation used in sentences
II. Discussion:

When we talk about obligation in English, we can use “must”, “have to”, “need to” and
“can’t”.
MODAL VERBS OF OBLIGATION
No. Use Example
1 We use must to talk about obligations. “You must do your homework every night or you
will fail.” (Says your teacher)
Notes:
Often, when we use “must”, the authority “I must stop smoking!” (Because I might get
for the obligation comes from the person cancer)
who is speaking.

Remember that “must” is a modal

auxiliary verb. Thus, it doesn’t change its (“You must phone me”
ending (I must, he must, etc) and that it is not “You must to phone me”—You must to phone
followed by the infinitive without ‘to’. me is wrong.)

2 We can also use have to to talk about rules
and regulations. The authority for the
obligation doesn’t come from the person
who is speaking. Perhaps the rule is a
general law or obligation.
In the Philippines, you have to pay tax.
We have to check everyone’s ID and quarantine
pass.

Have to is a normal verb. Use “do” or Do you have to vote in an election?

“does” to make a question, and “don’t” or He doesn’t have to wear a uniform to school.
“doesn’t” to make a negative.
Have got to is a common British English I have got to fill in this form. The deadline is
and is stronger than have to. tomorrow.

To make the question and negative form,
use “have”, “has”, “haven’t” and “hasn’t”:
3 We use need to to talk about what is
necessary.
She has got to study hard to pass the exam.
Have you got to leave early tomorrow?
Haven’t she gotten the final examination yet?
You need to go to the hairdresser’s. Your hair is
very long.

She needs to go to the doctor. She has a fever.

She might have Covid-19.
“Need to” is like “have to”: use do / Do you need to pass an exam to get into
does to make questions: university?”
Does she need to get a job?

4 To say there is no obligation,
use “don’t / doesn’t have to”
or “don’t / doesn’t need to”.
5 To say that there is an obligation not to
do something, use “mustn’t”.
6 We can also use “can’t”:
You don’t have to bring food on the trip.
She doesn’t have to work in the evening.
“I don’t need to pay now. I can pay later.”
“They don’t need to speak English in their job.”
“You mustn’t stay here; it’s dangerous!”
“He mustn’t eat peanuts. He’s allergic to nuts.”
“You can’t go out tonight. You’ve got homework.”
We can’t go out. We are minors

III. Activities:
A. NEGATIVE FORMS OF MODALS OF OBLIGATION:
Complete the sentences with the most appropriate negative form of modals of
obligation. Underline the correct answer.
1. We have a lot of work tomorrow. You (don’t have to, must not) be late.
2. The museum is free. You (doesn’t have to, don’t have to) pay to get in.
3. Jose is a millionaire now. He (must not, doesn’t have to) work.
4. We (don’t have to, doesn’t have to) hurry. We've got plenty of time.
5. We (don’t have to, must not) forget to lock all the doors before we leave.
6.
B. MUSTN’T VS. DON’T HAVE TO:
Choose the best way to complete the sentences using “mustn’t and don’t have to”.

Remember: must not or mustn’t – it’s important NOT to do something.

Example: You mustn’t lose your phone. It’s brand new.
Do not have to or don’t have to – you can do something if you want to – but it’s not
necessary to do it.
Example: You don’t have to watch that TV show. It’s boring anyway.

1. You (don’t have to, mustn’t) get a pet cat. Some people prefer dogs
2. You (don’t have to, mustn’t) get to class late.
3. You (don’t have to, mustn’t) become rich and famous to be happy.
4. You (don’t have to, mustn’t) get too close to the lion at the zoo.
5. You (don’t have to, mustn’t) eat apples every day. you can eat other fruits.
C. POSITIVE FORMS OF MODALS OF OBLIGATION:
Complete the sentences with the MOST APPROPRIATE positive form of modals of
obligation. Underline the correct answer.

Note: Review introduction on must, have to and need/s to.

1. Can you tell Deborah that she (must, have to, need to) call me tomorrow? (It’s Deborah’s
boss who said that that.)
2. We (must, have to, need to) leave early today. The barangay is strictly implementing curfew hours.
3. Does he (must, have to, need to) wear a uniform to class? (It’s school policy.)
4. I (must, have to, need to) work at the weekend so that I can pay my bills.
5. He (must, have to, needs to) learn to read and write his name before he goes to school.
His classmates probably all know how to read.

IV. Assessment:

Determine the function of each modal of obligation. Choose the letter that best describes the
statement. Pick the letter of the most appropriate answer. Write your answer on the space provided
after each number.
1. There’s a stop sign. You have to stop your car. _
2. You must wash the dishes first or you’re not going out. _
3. I need to take pain killers. I have a bad toothache. _
4. You mustn’t overcharge your phone. It’s not safe. _
5. They don’t need to have cellphones to learn new things. _

A. The authority for the obligation comes from the person who is speaking.
V. Reflection:
B. There is an obligation not to do something
What’s the difference
C. There between
are rules and must, that
regulation havehas
to and
to beneed to?
followed.
D. isThere
Why is no to
important obligation
have antoawareness
do something.
about the different modals of obligation?
E. There is something necessary that you need to do.
 DAY 5-6
TITLE: USING MODALS TO EXPRESS PROHIBITION

Wow. I’m really so proud of you for reading this for the third time. Yes, I know there are modals th

Learning Competency:
Express permission, obligation, and prohibition using modals
I. Objectives:
At the end of this learning activity sheet, you are expected to:

 Supply the appropriate modal to complete the sentences;

 Give the appropriate form of the modal being asked;
 Determine the truthfulness and falsity of statements based on their
knowledge on modals of prohibition.
II. Discussion:
Modal verbs of prohibition are used for prohibition, the opposite of giving permission.
These modal verbs for prohibition lesson shows you how to use may and can to prohibit someone or to
create rules.
1. CAN’T

Can’t 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. Here are some examples:

 You can’t drive here.

 You can’t wear a hat in class.
 You can’t smoke in the office.
Can’t is normally used to show inability, but in these examples it shows prohibition. It is like you are
saying you do not have the ability because of the rules.

You could also ask questions about the rules:

• Can I smoke in here?
• Can I park my car here?
 2. MAY NOT
May not is the formal way to prohibit something.

• You may not smoke in this house.

• You may not wear shoes in the office.
• You may not eat in the conference room.

Because may is the most formal, you will often see it in writing. Finally, let’s look at the strongest way to prohibit
something.

Like can, you could ask questions about the rules with may:
• May I smoke here?
• May I eat in this room?

3. MUST NOT
This is the third way you can prohibit an action or make a rule against something. Here are some examples:

• You must not use a cell phone.

• You must not write with pencil.
• You must not play music.

Photofrom AsapSciene.com
Unlike the first two examples, you can’t ask questions about rules with must.
 III. Activities:
A. Determine which sentence correctly uses modals of prohibition. Choose from
the two options. Place your answers on the space provided before each
number. Note: Please observe how the sentences were formed in the
discussion.
1. Which is correct?
A. You may no use a calculator.
B. You may not use a calculator.
2. Which is correct?
A. You can’t eat that.
B. You can’t to eat that.
3. Which is correct?
A. You may not smoking here.
B. You may not smoke here.
4. Which is correct?
A. You cannot leave your jacket here.
B. You can no to leave your jacket here.
5.Which is correct?
A. She can’t has my book.
B. She can’t have my book.
B. Complete the sentences with the most appropriate modals of prohibition. Note:
Please review the discussion on can’t, must not and may not.
1. You (mustn’t, can’t) miss the class because of club activities. (Your friend reminds you.)
2. You (mustn’t be, may not) even one minute late. (Your teacher reminds you.)
3. You (can’t, must not) look at your mobile phone to check the time. (The class president informs
you of classroom rules).
4. You (can’t, may not) sketch on worksheets or in your notebook. (Your classmate warns you.)
5. You (can’t, may not) take things that aren’t yours. (Your teacher warns you.)

IV. Assessment:
Determine the truthfulness and falsity of each statement. Write TRUE if the statement is
true and FALSE if the statement is false.
_1. Must not, can’t and may not are all modals of prohibition.
_2. Must not, can’t and may not are positive forms of modals.
_3. Can’t is used in formal conversation.
_4. Must not is used to make a rule about something.
_5. May is a formal way to prohibit something.
V. Reflection:
When can we use can’t, must not and may not in conversation? Why is important to have an awareness
about the different modals of prohibition?
 References: Day 1
Modalverbsandtheirmeaning(ND).retrieved from
https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-modals.php

Modalverbsofpermission(2012). retrieved from http://www.advanced-english-

grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-permission.html

ModalVerbs:Permission (ND). Retrieved from americanenglish.state.gov

References: Day 2

Modalverbsofobligation (ND).retrieved from https://www.perfect-english-

grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-obligation.html

Englishgrammar:modalsofobligation (ND). retrieved

https://www.english-at-home.com/grammar-modals-obligation/

Grammarworksheetmustntvsdonthaveto (ND). Retrieved from

https://www.allthingsgrammar.com
References: Day 3

Modalverbsofprohibition (2020). Retrieved from http://www.learnenglish-

online.com/grammar/modals/prohibition.html

Therulesofthis classmodalsofobligation (2015). Retrieved from

https://www.usingenglish.com/files/pdf/modals-of-obligation-prohibition-and-permission-
class-rules.pdf