ENGLISH

Junior High School | Grade 9

Quarter 1/ Week 3
MODALS: PERMISSION, OBLIGATION AND PROHIBITION

GRADE LEVEL STANDARD: The learner demonstrates communicative

competence through his/her understanding of British-American Literature,
including Philippine Literature and other text types for a deeper appreciation of
Philippine Culture and those of other countries.

CONTENT STANDARDS: LEARNING COMPETENCIES:

The learner demonstrates
understanding of how Anglo-
American literature and other text The learner:
types serve as means of enhancing  Express permission,
the self; also how to use processing,
obligation, and prohibition
assessing, summarizing information,
word derivation and formation using modals.
strategies, appropriate word order,
punctuation marks and interjections
to enable him/her to participate
actively in a speech choir.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
The learner actively participates in a
speech choir through using effective
verbal and non-verbal strategies
based on the following criteria:
Focus, Voice, Delivery, Facial
Expressions, Body Movements/
Gestures and Audience Contact.

VALUES INTEGRATION:
Everywhere we go, there are rules that we have to follow.

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Junior High School | Grade 9

Lesson : Modals

Introduction

Modal verbs are very important in English. We use them to express

something that can probably, certainly or possibly happen. Modal verbs help when
speaking about ability, making requests and offers, asking permission and
more.
________________________________________________________________________________

Specific Learning Objectives

1. Use appropriate modal verbs in different situations;

2. Express permission, obligation and prohibition using appropriate modals; and
3. Give the importance of using modals properly.
________________________________________________________________________________

Key Understandings
1. Modals are helping verbs that are used only with a main verb to help express its
mood such that of possibility, ability, permission, obligation, request and others.
2. It is essential to distinguish the different types of modals so that one can
determine which modal is best used in the given situation. Through it, one can
communicate his or her intentions clearly.
________________________________________________________________________________

Essential Question
1. How do we use modals in the sentence?
2. Why is it essential to distinguish the different types of modals?
________________________________________________________________________________

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Junior High School | Grade 9

Development

A. Guess the words described below. Use the boxes as your clue.

1. This verb form is use to express a degree of certainty about an outcome or the
possibility of something.
O A

2. This is a type of modal which indicates that something should not be done or
that someone must not do something.
P H I I N

3. This type of modal is used to express responsibility or commitment. Examples

of this modal are must and have to.
O L G I

4. This is a type of modal which is used to express consent or approval.

Examples of this modal are can and could.
R I S N

B. Classify the modals in the box according to its function. Place each in its
proper column.

Permission Obligation Prohibition

can could

may might

have to must

can’t may not

mustthe
C. Tell whether notunderlined phrase expresses Permission, Obligation or
Prohibition.
_________ 1. You mustn't be late to class.
_________ 2. You can use my car if you like.
_________ 3. We have to wear a uniform when we're working in reception.
_________ 4. You can't take photos in the museum. They're really strict about it.
_________ 5. You must hand in your homework on Friday or you will lose ten per
cent of your mark.

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Junior High School | Grade 9

Modals

Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal

auxiliaries) are special verbs. They give additional information about the function
of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative
functions.

Express Permission Using Modals

We use the modals “can”, “could”, “may” and “might” to express
permission.

• Can – is used to say that someone is allowed to do something

Examples:
You can choose not to enroll this school year if you think it is too risky.
I can visit my grandparents once the ECQ is lifted.

• Could – is used to say that someone was allowed to do something in

the past
Examples: We could go the beach whenever we wanted.
You could use the internet until 10 P.M.

• May – is mostly used for more formal situations

Examples:
“Excuse me Ma’am, may I go to the restroom?”
“You may leave once you are done.”

• Might – is rarely used in this way as it's considered old fashioned

usage, however, educated and polite people still use it to indicate
politeness and show respect
Examples:
“Might I ask whether it is better to postpone the opening of classes to a
further date?”
“Might I trouble you with a glass of water, please?”

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ENGLISH
Junior High School | Grade 9

Express Obligation Using Modals

We use “have to” and “must” to express obligation. There is a slight

difference between the way we use them.

• Have to – is used show that the obligation comes from outside the
speaker. We sometimes call this 'external obligation'.
Examples:
You have to pass your project on time.
She has to show her Quarantine Pass to enter the establishment.

• Must – is used to express a strong obligation or necessity. It often shows

us that the obligation comes from the speaker (or the authority that
wrote the sentence).
Examples:
I must call my father. It is Father’s Day.
You must wash your hands before touching your face.
Note: We don't use must to express obligation in the past. We use have to
instead.
Example:
I had to go to the bank to pay my electricity bill since payment centers
were closed yesterday.

Express Prohibition Using Modals

The modal verbs “can’t”, “must not”, and “may not” are used for
prohibition. These situations are the opposite of giving permission.

• Can’t - 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. It is
normally used to show inability, but in the following examples it shows
prohibition. It is like you are saying you do not have the ability because
of the rules.

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Junior High School | Grade 9

Examples:
You can’t smoke in public places.
You can’t park your car here.

• May not - is the formal way to prohibit something.

Examples:
You may not use your cellphones in class.
You may not enter the school without an ID.

• Must not – is the strongest way to prohibit something.

Examples:
You must not be late for class.
You must not go out if you are below 21.
Note: The modal don’t have to is not used for prohibition. It is used to express
no obligation. In other words, it is used to mean that you are not required to do
something but it would be better if you do.
Examples:
You don’t have to drive me home. I can walk.
I don’t have to be your friend to treat you nice.

Words to Remember:
modals permission obligation prohibition

can could may might must

have to can’t must not may not

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Junior High School | Grade 9

Engagement
A. Expressing Permission Using Modals
I. Read the sentences carefully, then decide whether it expresses
permission by putting ( /) if it does and ( X ) if not.
_____1. He can speak three languages – Filipino, English and Spanish.
_____2. May I see your passport, please?
_____3. The clouds are dark. It might rain later.
_____4. You could meet me at the restaurant.
_____5. Can I make a suggestion?
_____6. My brother told me I can go to the mall with my friends.
_____7. He may decline my offer to be her partner to the play.
_____8. You can’t bring a friend.
_____9. I might go to Greece once the pandemic is over.
_____10. You can borrow my books but be sure not to ruin it.

II. Use the following modals of permission in sentences correctly.

1. can

____________________________________________________________

2. may

____________________________________________________________

3. could

____________________________________________________________

4. might

____________________________________________________________

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Junior High School | Grade 9

B. Expressing Obligation Using Modals

I. Complete the following sentences with must or have to.
1. My tooth is sore. I _____________ go to the dentist.
2. To travel, you _________________ carry a passport.
3. You _________________ keep this secret.
4. I _____________ have finish this assignment on time.
5. You _____________ practice every day in order to become a good
singer.
6. Mandy _____________ work hard if he hopes to get the promotion.
7. We _____________ forgive those who have done wrong things to us.
8. Kim Chiu’s new single “Bawal Lumabas” is out. You _____________
listen to it.
9. As a student, I _____________ get enough sleep.
10. I _____________ wear glasses at all times or my vision will get worse.

II. Transform the following phrases into sentences that express

obligation. Do not forget to use the appropriate modals

1. be home at 10 P.M.

___________________________________________________________

2. wear complete uniform in school

___________________________________________________________

3. tell me everything

___________________________________________________________

4. be quiet in the library

___________________________________________________________

5. go on a diet

___________________________________________________________

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Junior High School | Grade 9

C. Expressing Prohibition Using Modals

I. Add a modal verb of prohibition to the verb in parenthesis to complete the

sentence.
1. You _____________ (keep) this door locked. We might get trapped inside.
2. You _____________ (go down) this road. It’s dangerous.
3. You_____________ (walk) to school. It’s raining.
4. You _____________ (come) to my class if you are late.
5. You _____________ (drink and drive).
6. This is a No Smoking Area. You _____________ (smoke) here.
7. You _____________ (use) the pool without adult supervision.
8. If you are not a part of this organization, you _____________ (vote).
9. You _____________ (go) outside unless you are told to do so.
10. You_____________ (have) a boyfriend until you are 18.

II. Give one thing that you are not supposed to do in the following places.
Use the appropriate modals.

1. school
___________________________________________________________
2. church
___________________________________________________________
3. restaurant
___________________________________________________________
4. cinema
___________________________________________________________
5. home
___________________________________________________________

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Junior High School | Grade 9

Assimilation/Assessment
A. Let’s Check In! Complete the following sentences using appropriate modal
verbs.

1. When you are a driver, you __________ stop on red lights.

2. Children __________ stay in their rooms during playtime.
3. We __________ be there before the contest starts or else we will be
disqualified.
4. I can’t get a connection in my phone. __________ I borrow yours?
5. The rules state that you __________ invite only one guest to the party.
6. People __________ smoke in public places.
7. Students __________ manage their time carefully when taking a timed
test.
8. People __________ turn off their mobile phones at the movie theater.
9. Men and women __________ be treated equally.
10. If you are going to drive, you __________ consume alcoholic drinks.

B. Let’s Step Up!

I. Answer this question concisely: What is the importance of using
appropriate modals in expressing different intentions?

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II. Write an article about giving an advice to tourists when coming to Philippines for
a visit or for a vacation. Use modals to express your ideas. You may use the
following categories: food, house rules, security, greetings, celebrations,
hospitality, formality and greetings.

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Junior High School | Grade 9

Reflection

I understand that __________________________________________________

I believe that _____________________________________________________

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