Study Notes in ENGLISH 9
MODALS are auxiliary or helping verbs. They may be used in expressing permission, obligation and prohibition.
Examples:
I believe I can fly.
Joshua must call the police after the incident.
Belle doesn’t have to secure a permit for her to go out of her house.
1. Permission – is an act of giving consent or authorization. In stating permission, modals to be used include can, could,
and may.
A. Can is used to ask for and give permission.
Examples:
Can you give me your number?
Can you help me with this?
B. Could is also used as a more polite and more formal modal in asking permission (which may not be given).
Examples:
I could possibly ask my mom to cook it for us.
Could you lend me your book?
C. May is the most polite and formal modal used in asking and giving permission.
Examples:
May I borrow your book, please?
Teachers may now distribute the modules to the learners.
2. Obligation- expresses commitment or duty. Modals used in expressing obligation include have to, has to and must.
A. Has/Have to is used when obligation comes not from the speaker. The obligation is set by an authority, rule or law.
Examples:
I have to be in the airport before the flight departure.
She has to submit her report on time.
B. Must is used when expressing obligation that comes from the speaker or from an authority.
Examples:
I must call my parents now.
We must finish the report on time.
Note: No obligation expresses the absence of commitment or duty as one may do it or not. Don’t (doesn’t) have to is
used to express no obligation.
3. Prohibition is the act of disallowing or prohibiting someone in performing or doing something. Modals showing
prohibition include can’t and must not/ mustn’t.
A. Can’t is used in dealing with something against rules, laws and signs. This is used when the speaker is not the one who
sets the rules.
Examples:
You can’t go out during the community quarantine. (Quarantine Policy)
The company can’t apply for motion for reconsideration. (Legal Proceeding)
B. Must Not/Mustn’t is used in dealing with something that is not permitted. In this context, it is the speaker who sets
the rules.
Examples:
You must not turn off your camera during online class. (teacher-students)
Mustn’t you eat the fruits inside the fridge? (mother-child)
