Grade 9 Quarter 1 Lesson: Modals

1. MODALS
are auxiliary verbs used to express
permission, obligation, prohibition, ability,
possibility, etc.

2. RULES IN USING MODALS
1. Do not change the form of the
modals. Use them as is.
2. Use the base form of the verb.
3. Don’t use “don’t.”
4. Use ‘not’ after the modal.

3. MODALS
EXPRESSING
PERMISSION
PERMIT: TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY;
TO ALLOW

4. INFORMAL
Can I borrow your pen?
You can leave the door
open.
CAN
FORMAL
May I speak with Mr.
Escote?
MAY
MORE FORMAL AND
POLITE THAN “CAN”
Could you help me cook?
COULD
TO ASK FOR PERMISSION
TO GIVE PERMISSION

5. TO ASK IF SOMETHING WAS PERMITTED IN THE PAST
Could you drive your
car when you were a
teenager?
COULD
Were you allowed to
join the contest last
year?
WAS/WERE
ALLOWED TO

6. TO SAY THAT SOMETHING IS NOT PERMITTED
The students can’t
enter the school
premises without
Identification Cards
(ID).
CAN’T
We couldn’t make a
decision so we waited
for you.
COULDN’T
IN THE PRESENT IN THE PAST

7. MODALS EXPRESSING
OBLIGATION (AND/OR
ADVICE)
OBLIGATION: SOMETHING ONE IS BOUND TO
DO; A DUTY; A RESPONSIBILITY

8. EXTERNAL
(Another person thinks
it is necessary; based on
laws and rules)
I have to go to class on time.
I have to submit my project tomorrow.
You have to submit your project tomorrow.
HAVE TO
INTERNAL
(The speaker thinks
it is necessary;
personal opinion)
I must sleep early.
I must submit my project tomorrow.
You must submit your project tomorrow.
MUST
INTERNAL VS EXTERNAL OBLIGATION

9. MILD OBLIGATION OR
ADVICE
You should take a rest for some time.
SHOULD
STRONG
OBLIGATION
I must finish the output today.
The teachers have to be trained to conduct
online classes.
MUST/HAVE TO
STRONG VS MILD OBLIGATION

10. UNFULFILLED
OBLIGATION IN THE PAST
You should have done the project earlier.
SHOULD HAVE
OBLIGATION IN THE
PAST
When I was a teenager, I had to take care of
my younger siblings.
HAD TO
PAST

11. MILD NEGATIVE
OBLIGATION
You shouldn’t smoke too much.
SHOULDN’T
NEGATIVE
OBLIGATION
She mustn’t eat unhealthy foods.
MUSTN’T
NEGATIVE

12. NO OBLIGATION
(PRESENT/PAST)
They don’t have to work on Sunday.
I didn’t have to work last Saturday because I
finished my work early.
DON’T HAVE TO/
DIDN’T HAVE TO
UNFULFILLED
OBLIGATION TO NOT
DO AN ACTION IN
THE PAST
You shouldn’t have resigned from your job;
it is hard to find a new one.
SHOULDN’T
HAVE
NEGATIVE

13. MODALS EXPRESSING
PROHIBITION
PROHIBITION: THE ACTION OF FORBIDDING
SOMETHING

14. COMMON SIGNS AND
NOTICES; PROHIBITION
COMES FROM THE
SPEAKER
Baggage must not be
left unattended.
You mustn’t be late to
class.
MUST
NOT
THE SPEAKER DID
NOT MAKE THE
RULES
We can’t sell cigarettes
to minors.
CANNOT
PROHIBITION
MAY
NOT
MORE FORMAL AND
POLITE WAY TO
PROHIBIT AN
ACTION
You may not stay here.