SAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN
IT!
PERMISSION
• __________ I hold your hand, just for a
moment?
• ___________ I stay a little longer, even if it’s
just silence between us?
OBLIGATION
• I _____________ tell her how I feel before it’s
too late.
• You _________believe me—I never stopped
loving you.
PROHIBITION
• You ________ give up on us, not after
everything we’ve been through.
• I _________let myself fall for you again.
MODALS:
EXPRESSING
PERMISSION,
OBLIGATION, AND
PROHIBITION
INTRODUCTION TO MODALS
• Modals are auxiliary or helping verbs that indicate
the mode or manner of actions.
• When used alone, modals do not give complete
meanings, but when paired with other verbs, they
change the meaning of these verbs.
NATURE OF MODALS:
• 1. Use the base form of the verb with the modal
• Rule: After a modal (like can, must, should), use the base
form (root form) of the verb.
• Examples:
• She can dance. (not “can dances” or “can to dance”)
• They should study.
• You must eat vegetables.
• 2. Modals do not change form
• Rule: Modals stay the same no matter who is doing the
action.
• Examples:
• I can cook.
• He can cook.
• She can cook.
• (You don’t add “s” even with “he” or “she”)
• 3. Don’t use “to” after a modal
• Rule: Just use the base verb, not “to + verb.”
• Examples:
• She must leave early. (not “must to leave”)
• We can play now. (not “can to play”)
•4. Add “not” to make it negative
•Rule: To say “no” or “don’t,” just add “not”
after the modal.
•Examples:
• He should not be late.
• You must not lie.
• I cannot swim. (“cannot” = one word)
• 5. Modals can be used to ask questions
• Rule: Start the sentence with the modal to ask a
question.
• Examples:
• Can you help me?
• Should we go now?
• May I leave early?
• 6. Do not use double modals
• Rule: Use only one modal at a time.
• Examples:
• Incorrect: She might can go.
• Correct: She might go. OR She can go.
THIS PRESENTATION WILL FOCUS ON
THREE FUNCTIONS OF MODALS:
EXPRESSING PERMISSION,
OBLIGATION, AND PROHIBITION.
MODALS OF PERMISSION
• Modal verbs expressing permission are may, could,
and can.
• They indicate that something is allowed and can be
done, and also show politeness and respect.
• 1. May
• May is the most formal and polite modal verb
to use when asking for permission.
• Examples:
–"May I speak to Mark, please?"
–"You may join them as soon as you finish
your tasks here."
• 2. Could
• Could is a more polite form than can when being polite or showing
respect.
• Examples:
– "Could you lend me the laptop?"
– "Could we go home now?"
• Could is also used to indicate general permission in the past.
• Examples:
– "When I was five, I could easily ride a bike."
– "Before the COVID-19 scare, we could gather everywhere in the
streets."
• 3. Can
• Can is less formal and more direct than could.
• Used for simple or direct requests.
• Examples:
–"You can ask him. He is approachable."
–"Can you do me a favor?"
MODALS OF OBLIGATION
• There are two types of modal verbs of obligation:
• Those that express a firm obligation or necessity:
• must and have to.
• Those that express a recommendation or moral
obligation:
• should and ought to.
• 1. Must
• Must shows that the obligation comes from the
speaker.
• Examples:
–"We must pay our taxes to contribute to the
country's economy."
–"I must wear face masks especially in
crowded places."
• 2. Have to
• Have to is used when the obligation comes from someone
else, not the speaker, for an action necessary due to rules.
• Examples:
–"We have to be at the school two hours before the
program starts."
–"You have to do all the homework."
• Should and Ought to
• Used when talking about obligation as the right thing to
do.
• Examples:
–"Children should know how to respect older people."
–"Yvnna Cinderelle ought to assist the volunteers in the
outreach program."
Modal Verb Meaning / Use Strength Examples
You must wear a
Strong obligation
helmet. (Law)We must
Must (rules, laws, personal Very strong
finish this today.
urgency)
(Urgent)
I have to go to school
External obligation
at 7. (Schedule)We
Have to (rules, schedules, Strong
have to pay taxes.
necessity)
(Rule)
You should sleep early.
Advice,
(Advice)She should say
Should recommendation (not Medium (soft)
sorry. (Moral
required)
suggestion)
You ought to help your
Advice, moral
parents. (Moral)He
Ought to obligation (similar to Medium (soft)
ought to be more
“should”)
careful. (Suggestion)
MODALS OF PROHIBITION
• Modal verbs are used for prohibition, which are
situations opposite to giving permission.
• This section focuses on using
• may and can to prohibit someone or create rules.
• Both cannot (can't) and must not (mustn't) are modals
used to show that something is prohibited (not
allowed).
• 1. Can't
• Can't usually conveys the idea of something being
against the rules.
• Examples:
–"Christine Joy can't enter the school because she
has no ID."
–"Ma. Cecilia can't drive the car unless she has a
driver's license."
• 2. Mustn't
• Mustn't usually means that the speaker is setting the
rule.
• Examples:
–Parent to child: "You mustn't insult your brother
in front of the crowd."
–Teacher to student: "You mustn't be late to class
next time."
Modal Meaning Strength Example
Not allowed You can’t use
Can’t or not Medium phones in
possible class.
You must not
Strong rule or
Must not High cheat on the
prohibition
test.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF MODALS
• Modals can create different meanings depending on
their functions in the sentence.
• The modals can, could, and may are not always used
to express permission (politeness and respect).
• Ability or Possibility
• Can and could express ability or possibility.
• Examples:
–Ability: "She can excellently edit the video using Adobe
Premier."
–Past Ability: "I could eat junk foods when I was
younger."
• Wish or Probability
• May is used to state a wish or possibility.
• Might denotes less probability.
• Examples:
–Wish: "May your dreams come true as you face
uncertainties in life!"
–Possibility: "He may be able to assist you in
preparing your documents."
–Less Probability: "It might rain today."
ROLE PLAY ACTIVITY: “WHAT WE CAN,
MUST, AND MUST NOT DO”
• The class will be divided into three groups:
• Group 1: Modals for Permission (can, may, could)
• Group 2: Modals for Obligation (must, have to, should)
• Group 3: Modals for Prohibition (must not, cannot, should not)
• Each group will prepare a 3-minute short role play based on a real-
life or fictional situation that clearly uses their assigned modals in
natural dialogue.
• Your role play must:
• Use at least 3 correct modal expressions
related to your group’s focus
• Be creative, clear, and engaging
• Involve all group members in speaking roles.
• You will be given 3minutes to perform in class,
