English 9

Quarter 1, Week 2
 English 9
Modal Verbs
(Permission, Ability, Obligation
and
Possibility)
 WORD
OF THE DAY
Opportunit
y
Opportunit
y
ä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē 
 knocks only once,
________

so better grab it.

Definition of Opportunity

A good chance for

advancement or
progress.
 Learning Objectives:
K- Explain modals and its functions as permission and
ability.
S- Recognize modal forms used in the sentences.
A- Express permission and ability.
V- Reflect about the importance of learning modals in
everyday conversation.
What I know
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. _____ I borrow your pen for an hour?

A. May C. Could
B. Should D. Ought

2. _____ I go to the cinema with Roy?

A. May C. Ought
B. Will D. Would
What I know
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

3. You ____ have another glass of orange

juice.
A. will C. shall
B. can D. could
4. _____you drive the car for me?
A. Ought to C. Would
B. Shall D. Can
What I know
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

5. You _____ leave when you have finished

the project.
A. can C. will
B. have to D. could
What I know
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. _____ I borrow your pen for an hour?

A. May C. Could
B. Should D. Ought

2. _____ I go to the cinema with Roy?

A. May C. Ought
B. Will D. Would
What I know
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

3. You ____ have another glass of orange

juice.
A. will C. shall
B. can D. could
4. _____you drive the car for me?
A. Ought to C. Would
B. Shall D. Can
What I know
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

5. You _____ leave when you have finished

the project.
A. can C. will
B. have to D. could
Modal
s
 Modals
Modals verbs are auxiliary verbs (also
called helping verbs) like can, will, could,
shall, must, would, might, and should. After
a modal verb, the root form of a verb is
generally used.
Modal verbs add meaning to the
main verb in a sentence by
expressing possibility, ability,
permission, or obligation.
Functions
of
Modals
 Permission
Abilit
Function y
s of
Modals Obligation
Possibility
 Permission
Functions
of
Modals Abilit
y
Directions: Examine the following sentences. What do
the underlined words suggest? How do we call these
underlined words?
1. Can you open the door for me?
2. May I have some cookies?
3. Could you repeat your statements?
4. You can throw the garbage in the compost pit.
5. You may go out in these four corners of the wall.
MODAL VERBS OF
PERMISSION
Modal verbs can be used to give or
ask for permission. This modal verb
for permission lesson shows you how
to use may, can, and could.
These modal verbs show permission:
May
May is a polite modal verb used to ask for
permission. Here are some examples:
•May I use a calculator on the test?
•May I have another piece of cake?

The polite answers using may are as follows:

• Yes, you may.
• No, you may not.
Could
Could is also used to ask for permission. It is less
formal than using may. Here are some examples
with could:

• Could I have some more juice?

• Could I bring a friend to the party?
Can
Can is the least formal of the modal verbs
used to ask permission. Here are some
examples with can:
• Can I play music?
• Can I wear shorts?
The examples above are all with “I”. This is
because it is most common to ask permission
for you. However, it is possible to ask
permission for another person:

• May she bring a friend?

• Could he try again?
• Can they sleep here?
The examples are also all questions. These
are very common. But you can also give
permission.
Here are some examples:

• You may sleep on the sofa.

• You can wear my jacket.
Activity 3
Directions: Write down five things that you permit your
classmates of doing during classes. You may also include
your permission for the teachers.
Activity 4
Directions: Write a 1 paragraph reflection
about the importance of learning modal
verbs of permission in everyday
conversation.

Use ½ crosswise.
Activity 5
Directions: Construct sentences using the three modal
verbs for permission considering formality.
May- (formal) Could- (less formal) Can- (least formal)
1. May I go out? 1. Could you please 1. You can move the
stay away from me? chair over there.
2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3.
4. 4. 4.
5. 5. 5.
MODAL VERBS OF ABILITY
Modal verbs can do many things in English, which
is why they are so common. This lesson shows
you how to use modal verbs of ability, including
can and could.

Three modal verbs show ability in English: Can

Could Be able to
Here are some examples:
Present
• I can play the guitar.
• She can speak German.
• Mike can swim well.

You can see “can” is always followed by a base verb. It

does not matter what the subject is. We say “I can”, “she
can”, “they can”, etc. The same is true for “could” in the
past.
Past
• I could sing very well when I was young.
• She could read when she was 4 years old.
Future
• I will be able to drive a car in 2 years.
• He will be able to buy a house next year.

“Able to” is used with many other verb tenses. Take a look at
these examples:
• I have been able to visit many countries in my life.
• She used to be able to dance the Tango.
• Mike will have been able to finish by tomorrow.
Negatives
Negatives are formed by using “not”.
• I cannot play piano.
• She can’t play piano.
• She could not finish her homework last night.
• They couldn’t finish their homework last night.
• I will not be able to go to the party tonight.
• Susan won’t be able to go to the party tonight.
You should notice the contractions: can’t, couldn’t, and won’t
be able to. They are very common, especially in speaking.
Questions
You can form questions by changing the
order of the words.
• Can you drive a car?
• Could he swim?
• Will Doug be able to bring his boots?
Notice that “will be able to” is separated
when used in a question:
• Will he be able to finish on time?
Activity 6
Directions: Supply the spaces provided with the
correct modal verbs of ability: can, could, will be able
to, can’t, couldn’t or won’t be able to.
1. Jack _____dance when he was younger, but
now he ____. In fact, he belongs to famous
dance club in our school.

2. Riza_____ understand Cebuano, but she

______ speak it fluently.
3. Danny asked, “Daddy, _____ I attend the party
tonight? Daddy answered, “Yes, you _____.

4. I _____ get a good job after 5 years. So, I have to

focus on my studies.

5. Jane _____ speak English well when she was a

high school student, but she is now an English
teacher.
Activity 6
Answers:
1. couldn't/ can
2. can/ can't
3.can/ can
4. will be able to
5.couldn't
“Ability is of little account
without opportunity.”
― Napoleon Bonaparte