Today’s Lesson in English 9

Modals
Main Objective:

Express permission, obligation, and

prohibition using modals.
Specific Objectives:
At the end of our lesson, students should be able to:

a. define MODALS;

b. identify modal verbs in sentences expressing

obligation, ability, necessity, possibility and
permission.

c. Use variety of modals in expressing

meaningful utterances and in sentences.
Read the following sentences.

1.David can play the violin.

2.You must stand straight when singing the

Lupang Hinirang.

3.The guests might arrive at noon tomorrow.

4.I will join you if I finish my laundry early.

5.May I use the toilet?

What is a Modal?
A MODAL is a type of auxiliary
(helping) verb that is used to
express ability, possibility,
prohibition, permission and
obligation.
ability things/skills/actions you are able to do

possibility Something possible to happen

prohibition Warning/stop or don’t do

obligation A responsibility or commitment

permission to allow or giving consent

 common FORMULA:

MODAL + Base form of Verb

You can walk on this side of the street.

Can (modal)
walk (action verb)
Modals are used in its present
and past forms:

PRESENT PAST
can could
will would
shall should
may might
 Sample sentences:

1. You must obey the school rules and

regulations.
obligation

2. May I go to my friend’s party tonight?

permission
3. Students cannot go out of the
classroom during class hours.
prohibition
 Modal focus
1 permission
2 obligation
3 prohibition
 Modal of permission
Modals used in giving or asking permission.

can
could
may
 Modal of permission
Degrees of formality (depends on the person and place)

MODAL FORMALITY EXAMPLE

LEAST FORMAL 1.Can I wear shorts?

CAN (used when speaking 2.Can I turn on the TV?
with a friend or) 3.Can I play music?

LESS FORMAL 1. Could I ask for a glass of water?

COULD (used when talking
casually)
2. Could I bring a friend in the party?

FORMAL 1. May I use your calculator for the test?

(used when asking 2. May I have another slice of cake,
MAY permission from elderly please?
or authorities) 3. May I go to the toilet?
 Modal of permission
FORMULA:
Can / Could / May + subject + the verb
Informal:
We often use the modal verb ‘can’ to ask for permission
or to make a request:

Example sentences:

1. Can I have some cookies? – Yes, you can.

2. Can I borrow your pen? – Sure!
3. Can I use your bathroom? – Of course!
CAN is the least formal. We use it when we
are asking a friend or someone we know for
something in an informal situation;

or if we are asking someone we don’t know for

something which is small or unimportant.

For example:
Can I open the window?
 COULD = to be polite
— ‘Could‘ is a little more polite than ‘can’, so we can
use it in more formal situations, like talking to your boss
or a stranger, or to ask for something more
important:

EXAMPLES:
1. Excuse me, could I sit here, please?
2. Could I have your attention, sir?
3. Could you tell me the way to the town center,
please?
 more polite
MAY most formal

MAY is similar to ‘could’ but it is

even more polite and used it
formal conversations.
Example sentences:
May I make an appointment for Tuesday?
May I begin?
May I have a glass of water?
Giving permission:

1.You can come with us.

2.Students can sit anywhere.
3.You may go home now, if you like.
4.Students may travel free.
Modal of obligation
Modals used to suggest sense of DUTY
or RESPONSIBILITY to be done.

• must
• have/had to
• should
 types of Modal verbs of
2 obligation
1 “must” and “have to”
express a firm obligation or necessity

2 “should” and “ought to”

express a recommendation or moral
obligation
 “must” & “have to”
firm obligation or necessity

Example sentences:

1. You must see a doctor at once!

2. I have to be at school tomorrow at 8 a.m.
3. You mustn’t touch that plate, it's too hot.
4. I had to see a doctor, because I felt very sick.
5. I had to break the window to get in!
 “must” & “have to”
firm obligation or necessity

Example sentences:

6. We have to wear white T-shirt from

Monday to Friday.

7. Seat belts must be worn by all the

passengers in the bus for safety.

8. Shiela had to be in the terminal to catch

the first trip.
 “should”
recommendation or moral obligation
Example sentences:

1. Citizens should pay taxes.

2. Children should respect and love their
parents.
3. You should study hard, so you can pass
the exam.
4. Your shirt go holes, you should buy a new
one.
 Modal of obligation
must should
• Stronger obligation • weaker obligation
• Non-negotiable • Suggesting
• Urgent or • Giving advice
immediate • Telling people what
you think is a good
idea
Modal of prohibition
Used to restrain or stop an action.
Uses the word “NOT/NO”.

• Can’t
• Wouldn’t
• Shouldn’t
x
• Mustn't
Modal of prohibition
Used when we want to say
something is not allowed or
not permitted.

• Advice
x • Reminder
• Policy
EXAMPLES:
1.You can't go into that restaurant without
a tie.
2.You can’t drink liquor in this country
unless you are over eighteen.
3.You mustn't use your phone in class.

REMEMBER:
• Can't usually gives the idea of something that is
against the rules.
• Mustn’t usually means that it is the speaker who
is setting the rule.
To express prohibition the following
expressions are used.

1.Students are not allowed to come to

school on Saturdays.
2.Smoking isn’t permitted in hospitals.
3.You are not permitted to throw garbage
here.
4.A minor can’t drive a car.
5.You mustn’t cross the streets when the
traffic light turns red.
Let’s

1. Which sentence expresses

obligation?
a. I must go to the doctor.
b. I will go to the doctor.
Let’s

2. Which of the two sentences

expresses a polite way of asking
permission to do something?

a. Could we go home now?

b. Can we go home now?
Let’s

3. Which of the sentences show a

more polite and formal way of asking
permission?

a. Can I ask for a piece of paper?

b. May I ask for a piece of paper?
Let’s

4. Which sentence shows a stronger

obligation?

a. You must pay the entrance fee.

b. You should pay the entrance fee.
Let’s

5. Which sentence shows prohibition?

a. You should get a cross the streets.

b. You cannot get across the streets.
 TASK #1
Directions: Write a sentence asking permission and giving
permission based on the given situations.
Use the pronouns “I” and “you” in your sentences. Be
reminded of your end punctuations.
Task #2. Directions: Use must and should correctly
in the following sentences.
1. Children __________ obey their parents.
2. Challenges ___________ not keep us from achieving
our dreams.
3. Parents ___________ send their children to school.
4. Before one talks about an issue, he/she ___________
read about it first.
5. Family members __________ understand that they have
important roles to perform in keeping the family strong.
6. The school, as a second home, _________ constantly
nurture and protect the rights of children.
7. At school, we __________ wear our uniform.
8. You _________ visit us more often, we have a lot of
stories to share.