Express Permission,

Prohibition, and
Obligation Using
Modals
Objectives:
1. Differentiate sentences that
express permission, obligation, and
prohibition;
2. Identify modals of permission,
obligation, and prohibition and;
3. Use modals of permission,
obligation, and prohibition
appropriately in sentences.
Sheila didn’t attend the
party last night.

Sheila cannot attend

the party tonight.
Modals - are helping verbs that denote
intention of feeling of the speaker.
They indicate likelihood, permission,
ability, possibility, suggestions,
prohibition, advice, order or request. It
also accompanied with a verb in its
base form:

modal + verb (base form) = can eat,

should walk, can pay
What do you think?
1. One must pay attention to
his or her surroundings.
2. May I go to my friend’s
party and stay overnight?
3. Many students cannot go
to school as soon as they
like.
Types of Modals
 Modal of Permission
Permission is a consent or
agreement given to a request. It
is usually expressed by using
modals of permission : can,
could or may + verb (base form).
Can – is the formal of the
modal verbs used to ask or
give permission.
examples:
Can I play music?
Can I wear shorts?
Could – It is less formal.

examples:
Could I have some juice?
Could I bring a friend to the
party?
May – is the most formal modal
verb used to ask or give
permission.

examples:
May I use a calculator on the test?
May I have another piece of cake,
please?
 Modal of Obligation

Obligation – is a sense of duty

demanded by conscience,
custom, or gratitude.
Examples are must and have
to.
Have to – strong
obligation (possibly from
outside)
Children have to go to
school.
Must – strong
obligation ( possibly
based on the speaker’s
opinion).
I must study today.
 Modals of Prohibition

Prohibition – is an act of
restraining or stopping an action
by an authority. Modals used here
are the same in modals of
permission or obligation but with
the word not.
Examples:
Doctors must not (musn’t) make
mistakes.
She could not (couldn’t) play such a
rough game in politics.
You cannot (can’t) smoke in any public
place.
You may not eat in the classroom during
break time.
Working together is fun!
Form three groups. Perform the
assigned task for you.

Group 1 Make a letter. Use modals of

permission.
Group 2. Make a tiktok of any topic. Use
modals of obligation.
Group 3. Make an advertisement. Use
modals of prohibition.
 Rubrics:

Originality – 3 pts.
Creativity – 2 pts.
Team work- 2 pts.
Content – 3 pts.
Total = 10 pts.
Let’s practice!
Directions. Underline the modals in the following
sentences and identify its type.

1.Parents must listen not only to what the

children are saying but also to what they are
not saying.
2.Children may join activities outside the school
premises.
3.Students cannot choose which rule to obey.
4.Some may express their own opinions, but they
have to be tactful about it.
5.You can’t graduate if you fail one course.
Test yourself!
Directions. Fill in the blanks with the correct
modals of permission, obligation and prohibition.

1.___________ I borrow this book for a week, please?

2.Every examinee ___________ follow the directions.
3.He ____________ sneak out of the lecture room
immediately.
4.Miss Saldana, ___________ I go out for a minute?
5. ___________ you hand in your project later in my
office?
Directions. Fill in the blanks with the correct modals
of permission, obligation and prohibition.
1.You ___________ (can, can’t) miss the class because
of club activities.
2.You ___________ (can, may) use a dictionary, but you
need to seek permission from your teacher first.
3.You ___________(must, mustn’t) touch or look your
mobile phone during the class.
4.You ___________ (mustn’t, must) worry about making
mistakes when you are speaking.
5. _______________ ( May, Could) I use the internet to
help me with my homework? Mila asked her
teacher.
The end…