Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion

The School of the Archdiocese of Capiz

Roxas City

Self- Learning Kit in English 9

EXPRESSING PERMISSION,
OBLIGATION, AND PROHIBITION
USING MODALS
(1st Quarter- Week 4)

RENALYN ROSE E. MANDIQUE, LPT

Writer

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 WHAT IS THIS MODULE ABOUT

Modal Verbs! What is a modal verb? A modal verb might also be referred to as
a ‘helping’ verb and these are very common within the English language. There are,
however, certain rules which surround their use, for example the word ‘to’ must never
be used after a modal verb. Learning these rules and how a modal verb can function
within a sentence can greatly help you in forming grammatically correct sentences.

In this module, we are going to take a look at the modal verb in a little more
detail as well as some examples of how it can be used, giving you a greater
understanding of its function.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO KNOW

The module is divided into Two lessons, namely:

 Lesson 1 – Modal Verbs of Obligation
 Lesson 2 – Modal Verbs of Prohibition

After studying this module, you can be able to:

 determine the correct modal verbs to be used in a sentence;

 express permission, obligation, and prohibition in written
form statement.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW

Modal verbs are special kinds of verbs in English that express ability,
permission, obligation, possibility, and polite requests.

In English, we use modal verbs all the time! It is very important to

understand the different ways that we can use each verb.

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 In these section, we will review the following groups of verbs:

 Can, Could, and Be Able To

 Must, Might, May, Need to, and Have To
 Should, Ought to, and Had Better
 Will, Shall, and Would

Modal verbs can be used to give or ask for permission. This lesson will teach you
how to use may, can, and could. Let’s see if your insights about their uses and
differences are correct.

How do you ask permission in order for you to be allowed to do something

or to go somewhere? How do you grant or deny a request asked to you by
your friend or family member? There are many ways to achieve these and
this lesson will teach you on how to do it correctly and appropriately. You
are also reminded that a polite request is more likely to be met with a
positive outcome but not always.

May
 It is the most formal modal verb used to give permission or to state that someone
has permission.
Examples:
Customers may request a refund within a period of 30 days.
You may send these fruits to your mother with my compliments.

 It is also used to ask permission.

Examples:
May we examine some of these evidences that you have?
May I have another piece of cake and a glass of orange juice?

 The polite answers using may are as follows:

Yes, you may. No, you may not.

Can
 It is the least formal modal verbs used to ask permission.
Examples:
Can I make a suggestion on how you can improve or enhance your
products and sales?
Can I borrow your laptop and charger for my assignment?

 It is also used to give permission.

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 Examples:
Students can submit their answered module beginning next week and not
later than the end of the month.
You can borrow my laptop and charger if you really need it.

 It is used to say that someone is allowed to do something

Examples:
Children ten years old and above can use the pool without adult
supervision.
Citizens with quarantine pass can go outside to buy necessary things.

Could

 It is used to ask for permission. It is less formal than using may but more formal
than can.
Examples:
Could I bring my pet to the mall to shop with me?
Could I ask you something about the lesson that we discussed last meeting?

 It cannot be used to give permission.

Always Remember:

 Can, may, and could are example of modal verbs. This means that there is no “s”
with he / she / it / singular subject.
Examples:
He may come with you later after our discussion.
Ana can ask you anything about the lesson.

 Can is less formal and more direct than could. When asking in a simple or
direct way we use can.

 When being polite, or wanting to show respect, could is a better choice than can
as it is a more polite form than can.

May can also be used when asking permission but are much more
formal.

PRE-ASSESSMENT

Complete the following quotations by choosing the letter of the best answer.
Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

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1. I _____ accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying. -
Michael Jordan
a. may c. can
b. could d. shall

2. I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I
am bound to live by the light that I have. I _____ stand with anybody that stands
right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.
- Abraham Lincoln

a. must c. could
b. should d. will

3. Words are seeds that do more than blow around. They land in our hearts and not
the ground. Be careful what you plant and careful what you say. You might _____
eat what you planted one day. -Unknown
a. ought to c. need to
b. have to d. have got to

4. You _____ never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important
for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is
actually one of your biggest advantages. - Michelle Obama
a. can c. may
b. must d. should

5. Every day _____ be good, but there is something good in every day. -Alice Morse
Earle
a. cannot c. shall not
b. may not d. must not

6. If we ________ give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise,
not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health. –
Hippocrates
a. should c. may
b. could d. can’t

7. Be careful what you ask for you _______ get what you want.” ― Amanda Stephan,
The Price of Trust
a. could c. must
b. ought to d. may

8. Courage _______ have eyes as well as arms. -Henry George Bohn

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 a. ought to c. can
b. have to d. may not

9. When you say, "I _____ do it!" - You never will. But, if you say, "I'll give it a try,"
eventually you will succeed.” ― Anthony T. Hincks
a. may not c. can’t
b. must not d. can

10. Laws made by common consent ________ be trampled on by individuals. - George

Washington
a. cannot c. must not
b. may not d. do not

What’s New
Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal
auxiliaries) are special verbs which behave irregularly in English. They are
different from normal verbs like "work, play, visit..." They give additional
information about the function of the main verb that follows them. They have a
great variety of communicative functions.

LESSON 1: MODAL VERBS OF OBLIGATION

Another function of modal verbs is to express obligation. An obligation is a

necessity or something you have to do. When you have no choice in a certain matter,
you can use the modal verbs must or have to in order to express it. We can use each
of them in a slightly different way. In this lesson, you will know the difference
between the two and you will learn how to express obligation using other modal
verbs like should and ought to.

Read the excerpt from Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19 Prevention
and Control in Schools by UNICEF and answer the questions that follow. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

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 The protection of children and educational facilities is particularly important.
Precautions are necessary to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in school
settings; however, care must also be taken to avoid stigmatizing students and staff
who may have been exposed to the virus. It is important to remember that COVID-19
does not differentiate between borders, ethnicities, disability status, age or gender.
Education settings should continue to be welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and
supportive environments to all.

Share information about what could happen in a reassuring way. For example,
if your child is feeling sick and staying at home or the hospital, you could say, “You
have to stay at home/at the hospital because it is safer for you and your friends. I
know it is hard (maybe scary or even boring) at times, but we need to follow the rules
to keep ourselves and others safe. Things will go back to normal soon.”

1. What is the excerpt all about?

2. What do the underlined words express in the statements?
3. When do we usually use them?

What is It

In English there are various ways to describe rules and obligations, and as a
student it can be tricky to understand which way is right for each situation. Here are
the descriptions of modal verbs that we use to express obligation and how and when
to use them.

Must

 It is the basic and the most direct way of saying that something is compulsory. It
means you have no choice but to do (or not do) an action. We can only use must in
the present form to describe a general or permanent obligation, or an obligation in
the near future. The structure of must is easy because it is the same for every
subject.

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 Examples:

They must wear face mask when going outside. (plural subject)

He must study harder if he wants to pass the exam. (singular subject)

 It’s possible to make questions with ‘must’ but it’s not very common in modern
English. To make the question form we invert the subject and must.

Examples:

Must I go to the party? I don’t really want to.

Who must we call for an appointment?

Have to

 It has the same meaning as must and is used to express obligations. However, it is
much more flexible than must because we can use it in the past, the present and
the future. For this reason, it is very commonly used in modern English. Has to is
used when the subject is singular and in present tense.

Examples:

She has to take two trains and a bus to get to school every day.

You have to practice if you want to be fluent in speaking English.

 We use questions with have to to ask if something is obligatory. It is much more

common in modern English than questions with must.

Examples:

What time do we have to start our online class?

Does he have to bring his quarantine pass even we are already implementing
General Community Quarantine (GCQ)?
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 Difference between must and have to

1. Generally speaking, in the present affirmative form you can use either must or have
to. However, there is a slight difference when we speak in the first person. When
you want to describe an internal obligation (an order you give yourself), it’s better to
use must.

Example:

These pants don’t fit me anymore. I must lose weight.

2. On the contrary, when you describe an external obligation (an order someone gives
you) we use have to.

Example:

My doctor told me I’m overweight and I have to go on a diet.

3. When orders are general and official, for example on notices and documents, we
usually use must.

Example:

Passengers must keep their bags with them at all times.

Should

 It shows personal obligation or moral obligation. It is used to give an advice or

express opinions. Generally, should is used to indicate an advice or the best
suggestion for a situation.

Examples:

She should study hard so she can pass the exam.

We should be one meter apart from each other to observe social distancing.

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 Ought to

 While should and ought to are used interchangeably, ought to has the same use
with should but it is more formal. It is also more appropriate to use when talking
about rules, regulations and laws.

Examples:

You ought to follow the traffic rules.

They ought to sign the register before entering the apartment.

You ought to be at our class on time.

Difference between should and ought to

 Ought to and should are similar in meaning. Should is more common than ought to.
Ought to is more formal than should.

Examples:

There ought to be more street lights here. (means the same as There should
be more street lights here.)

I really ought to walk my dog more. He’s so fat. (means the same as I really
should walk my dog more. He’s so fat.)

We ought to make our home and family happy. (means the same as We
should make our home and family happy.)

LESSON 2: MODAL VERBS OF PROHIBITION

The last function of modal verbs that we will discuss on this module is to express
prohibition. You already have an idea what this is because of our discussions with lesson
one and lesson two. This modal verb is used when something is not allowed or not

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permitted. This is the opposite of giving permission and having obligation. This lesson will
teach you on how to do it using can’t, may not, and must not.

Here is another picture taken from the official page of I Love Taguig. This shows
one way on how to prevent spreading the virus. Your task is to write additional five things
that you must not do to avoid spreading it. Write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper

Modal verbs are used for prohibition. These situations are the opposite of giving
permission. This lesson on modal verbs of prohibition will teach you how to use
can’t, may not, and must not to prohibit someone or create rules.

Can’t
 It 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. Can’t is normally used to show
inability but it also shows prohibition. It is like you are saying you do not have the
ability because of the rules.
Examples:
You can’t go out with mask and quarantine pass.
You can’t miss our class next meeting for we will have an assessment.

 It is also used to talk about something that is against the rules, particularly when we
didn't make the rules.
Examples:
Sorry, we can't sell knives and cigarettes to under 18 years old.
What does this sign say? Oh, we can't park here.

May Not
 It is the formal way to prohibit something. Because may is the most formal, you will
often see it in writing.
Examples:
You may not smoke in this house.

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 You may not eat in the conference room.

Must Not
 It is used when talking about things that are not allowed. They are prohibited and
forbidden due to either real laws, regulations or personal obligations. If it is the
opinion of the speaker it is considered subjective. If it is due to an external factor
such as a rule, law or regulation, it is objective.
Examples:
Teachers mustn’t implement corporal punishment. (objective)
You mustn’t eat so much sugar. (subjective)

 It is particularly used when the prohibition comes from the speaker.

Examples:
(Parent to child) You mustn't say things like that to your sister.
(Teacher to student) You mustn't be late to class.

WHAT TO DO

Directions:Write the modal verbs in the following sentences. Beside your answer,
write what each verb expresses. Use separate sheet of paper for your answers.

Example:
The contestants have to be at the venues an hour before the competition.
Answer: have to-obligation

1. You mustn’t blame yourself for this.

2. He has to take responsibility for the accident.
3. They ought to have got back home by now.
4. Could you open the window please?
5. They have to be more punctual.
6. They can’t find the missing document.
7. He must take his medicine three times a day.
8. You should see a doctor.
9. You can stay here as long as you want to.
10. She may take her brother along with her.

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 WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

1. Modals are special verbs that give additional information about the function of the
main verb that follows them. They have a great variety of communicative functions.
It is used to express __________, __________, and ___________.
2. Some of the modal verbs that are used to express permission are __________,
__________, and __________.
3. The most formal way to ask permission is using __________ followed by could and
the least formal is can.
4. May, can and could are used to ask permission but only may and can are used to
give permission. _______ cannot be used to give permission.
5. There are two types of modal verbs of obligation: those that primarily express a firm
obligation or necessity __________ and __________; and those that express a
recommendation or moral obligation __________and __________.
6. Generally speaking, in the present affirmative form you can use either must or have
to in expressing obligation. However, there is a slight difference when we speak in
the first person. When you want to describe an internal obligation (an order you give
yourself), it’s better to use __________. On the contrary, when you describe an
external obligation (an order someone gives you) we use __________.
7. Some of the modal verbs that are used to express prohibition are __________,
__________, and __________.
8. __________ 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.
9. __________ is the formal way to prohibit something and you will often see it in writing.
10. __________ is particularly used when the prohibition comes from the speaker.

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 WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

ASSESSMENT
Part I. Identify the appropriate modals to be used in the following sentences. The choices
are given in the box. Write the letter of your choice on a separate sheet of paper.

a. have to b. can’t c. can d. must e. mustn’t

1. You ______ serve two masters at the same time with the same degree.
2. You ______ stop when the traffic lights turn red.
3. You ______ sit here while waiting for her to arrive.
4. People ______ drink and drive cars. It is prohibited.
5. Do I ______ wear face mask even I am already wearing faceshield?

Part II. Choose the correct modal that will complete the sentence. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. If you want to lose weight, you (have to, must not) eat so much chocolates candies.
2. Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday. I (have to, can) get up early.
3. When I was a child, I (should, may) dance whenever we have a visitor.
4. I (mustn’t, must) study tonight. My exams are tomorrow.
5. (Could, May) I see the daily report?
6. You (can, must) come in as long as you already sanitize yourself.
7. I (can, can’t) do this anymore. I already want to give up.
8. You (ought to, can’t) visit your grandmother. She is too old and sick.
9. He (must, may) take his medicine three times a day for him to get well.
We (may, may not) be allowed to enter because of your inappropriate attire.

WHAT’S MORE

You are currently experiencing the new normal education where you are studying at home.
We, your teachers, are always here especially whenever you have questions or difficulties.
Rest assured that we will work together in order for you to learn despite the pandemic that
we are currently encountering. Nothing can stop us!
As a student, think of five permissions, five obligations and five prohibitions that you need
to follow while we are in distance learning. Use appropriate modal and complete sentence
in accomplishing the table below. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answers.

You are permitted to… You are obliged to… You are prohibited to…

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 Example: Example: Example:

I can use other references I must answer this I must not cheat in
in answering this module. module honestly. answering this module.

Dear student,

Congratulations! You have done well. Thank you for

accomplishing this module. Share your thoughts or feelings about this
topic by sending me a private message! Let us work together to
improve this learning platform. See you next week!

Sincerely,

Ms. Renalyn Rose Mandique

Teacher

Where to Connect
Modal Verbs of Permission: May, Can, and Could- What Is It? Retrieved June 20, 2020,
https://www.englishlessonviaskype.com/asking-and-giving-permission-in-english/
https://sentence.yourdictionary.com/may
http://www.learnenglish-online.com/grammar/modals/permission.html
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-
intermediate/modals-permission-and-obligation
http://www.advanced-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-permission.html
https://www.english-at-home.com/learn-can/

COVID-19 Prevention Tips- What’s In? Retrieved June 21, 2020,

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=640510796537809

Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools - What’s New?
Retrieved June 21, 2020,
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/key-messages-and-actions-for-
covid-19-prevention-and-control-in-schools-march-

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