Expressing permission, prohibition and obligation using modals

Diagnostic tests
1. There's a lot of noise coming from
outside. ______ I close the window?
A. Could
C. Must
B. Might
D. Should

2. Did they tell you that you _____ come
into this area? It's restricted to staff only.
A. can't
C. should have to
B. don’t have to
D. would have to

3. “_______ you hand me the can opener,
please?” A. Might
C. Should
B. Must
D. Will

4. Joana has walked in the hot sun for an
hour. She had just drunk one glass of
water. Right now, she is refilling her
glass.
A. She is thirsty.
B. She must be thirsty.
C. She might be thirsty.
D. She could be thirsty.

MELC: Express permission,
obligation, and prohibition in
using modals
Modal Verbs

Lesson Objectives
A. Differentiate sentences that
express permission, obligation and
prohibition;
B. Identify modals of permission,
obligation, and prohibition in
sentences; and
C. Use modals of permission,
obligation, and prohibition

What are they?
Shela didn’t attend the party
last night.
Shela cannot attend the party
tonight.

Modals
 Modals are helping verbs that denote
intention or feeling of the speaker.
They indicate likelihood, permission,
ability, possibility, suggestions,
prohibitions, advice, order, or request.
It is always accompanied with a verb
in its base form.
modal + V (base form) = can eat,
should walk, may pay

What do you think?
1. One must always 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.

What do you think?
1. One must always pay attention
to his or her surroundings.
Obligation
2. May I go to my friend’s party
and stay overnight? Permission
3. Many students cannot go to
school as soon as they like.
Prohibition

Types of Modals
Modals of Permission
Modals of Obligation
Modals of Prohibition

Modals 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)

Modals of Permission
Can. It is the least 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 more
juice?
Could I bring friends for the
service tonight?

May. It is the most formal modal
verb to ask or give permission.
Example:
May I go out please?
May I have another peace of
cake?

Modals 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 the outside)
Example: Children have to go to
school.
Must – strong obligation (possibly
based on speaker’s opinion)
Example: I must study today.

1. My doctor said that have to
stop smoking or I’ll risk serious
problems. (I have no choice.)
2. I must stop smoking. (It’s my
decision.)

Modals of
Prohibition
Prohibition is an act of
restraining or stopping an
action by an authority.
Modals used here are the
same modals in permission
or obligation but with the
word NOT.

Examples:
Doctors must not (mustn’t) make
mistakes.
She could not (couldn’t) play such
a rough game of politics.
You cannot (can’t) smoke in any
public place.
You may not eat in the classroom
during classes.

Quiz 1
Directions: On a 1 whole sheet of yellow
paper, write the following items and
underline the modals. Identify each type
whether permission, obligation, or
prohibition.
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, provided their parents

3. Students cannot choose which rules to
obey.
4. Some may express their own opinion,
but they have to be tactful about it.
5. You can’t graduate if you fail one
course.

Answers:
Directions: On a 1 whole sheet of yellow
paper, write the following items and
underline the modals. Identify each type
whether permission, obligation, or
prohibition.
1. Parents must listen not only to what the
children are saying but also to what they
are not saying. Obligation
2. Children may join activities outside the
school premises, provided their parents
know about it. Permission

Answers:
3. Students cannot choose which rules to
obey. Prohibition
4. Some may express their own opinion, but
they have to be tactful about it.
Permission and Obligation
5. You can’t graduate if you fail one course.
Prohibition

Quiz 2
Direction: Fill in the blank with 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?

Answers:
Direction: Fill in the blank with correct modals
of permission, obligation, and prohibition.
1. May I borrow this book for a week please?
2. Every examinee have to follow the
directions.
3. He cannot sneak out of the lecture room
immediately.
4. Miss Saldana may I go out for a minute?
5. You can hand in your project later in my
office.

Additional Activity
Directions: Since Halloween is fast
approaching (even if most of us
don’t believe with it), Make a one-
page open letter of your TOTGA
(the one that got away. Make sure
to write your sentences with modals
of permission, obligation and
prohibition.

Expressing permission, prohibition and obligation using modals

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