ACTIVITY

CROSSWORD
PUZZLE
● Can
● May
● Permission
● Must not
● Modals
● Could
● Express
● Cannot
● May not
● prohibition
 INTRODUCTION
In your everyday speech, you always use modals. Whether you talk with
your teachers, parents, friends, classmates, relatives, or anyone, you use modals.
Because you are always dealing with other people, it is necessary that you
express yourself well using proper modals.

In this lesson, you will learn the two important purposes of modals which
will guide you for better comunication with others. You will encounter can,
could, may, must not, may not, and couldn’t, and use them in
expressing permission and prohibition which will help you communicate with
people more effectively.
EXPRESSING PERMISSION
AND PROHIBITION USING
You can’t... MODAL VERBS May I...?
You must not... Can I...?
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the various modals in expressing permission and
prohibition.
2. Use proper modals according to purpose; and
3. Write a letter of advice to other teenagers on the
importance of education using appropriate modals.
 WHAT ARE MODALS?
Modals are verbs that combine with another verb to
indicate mood or tense. They are also known as modal
auxiliaries or modal verbs that express necessity,
uncertainty, possibility or permission.
It adds detail to the main verb that are needed to clarify or
complete the structure of a sentence.
 TYPES OF 1 CAN
MODALS USE
IN 2 MAY
EXPRESSING
PERMISSION 3 COULD
 MODAL VERB “CAN”
Can- is most often used to ask for or give
permission to someone. It is also informal or the
least formal compared to may and could.

Remember: You use this one with someone

whom you are at the same level with like when
talking to your classmates or friends.
Examples:

1. Can I call you on Saturday to talk about our dance

performance assignment?
2. You can use my cellphone if you want.
3. I can go to school alone.
 MODAL VERB “COULD”
Could- is the past tense of “can” and it is used to ask
permission but not to give permission. It is also more formal
and polite than can, which is commonly used in a semi-formal
conversation like talking to someone you do not know.

Remember: When you converse with a person you do not

know, you should use the modal verb “could.”
Examples:
1. Could I use your phone to email my friend?
2. Could I ask you something about this place?
3. Could I get your number, please?
 MODAL VERB “MAY”
May- is the most proper and formal way of asking for or
giving permission. “May” is also used when asking for, giving,
and refusing permission as well as in telling if something is
uncertain.
Remember: You use the modal verb "may" when asking
permission from someone who is not at your level, who is older
or who has a higher position than yours.
Examples:
1. Ma’am, may I go out?
2. May we request everyone to please stand for the
singing of our National Anthem.
3. This PowerPoint presentation may be requested for
classroom use.
4. It may rain tomorrow.
 TYPES OF 1 CAN’T
MODALS USE
IN 2 MAY NOT
EXPRESSING
PROHIBITION 3 MUST NOT
 MODAL VERB “CAN’T”
Can’t- is the most common way to prohibit something in
English communication. It is usually used when an act is
against the rules. Likewise, it is not as formal as must not or
may, but it is the most common.

Remember: modal verb “can’t” shows inability or

prohibition.
Examples:
1. You can’t take off your mask in public places.
2. You can’t wear sleeveless shirts in class.
 MODAL VERB “MAY NOT”
May not- is the formal and emphatic way of prohibiting
something or refusing permission.

Examples:
1. You may not come to class late.
2. You may not eat during class hours.
3. You may not wear shoes in the office.
4. You may not borrow the car until you have learned
to drive carefully.
 MODAL VERB
“MUST NOT”
Must not- is the third way to prohibit an action
or make a rule against something. “Must not” is a
strong prohibition because things are prohibited due
to laws, regulations, and personal obligations.
Examples:
1. You must not use your cellphone in class.
2. We must not talk while our teacher is teaching.
3. You must not forget what you promised her.
 ACTIVITY
Directions: This activity will be done orally. Answer the
following questions in relation to our lesson:
1. What is the difference between can, could, and may?
2. What is the difference between can’t, may not, and must
not?
 QUIZ
Directions: Read the sentences carefully. Choose among the
given choices the correct modal that is appropriate in the
sentence. Write your answers on a ¼ sheet of paper.

1. Hey, I am lost! _____ you help me? ( can, could )

2. Besh, _____ ( can, could ) I borrow your pencil?
3. Excuse me, Ma’am, ___ (may, could) I go out because my
mom is calling?
4. ____ (can, could) I go to my classmate’s house?
5. You ______ (may not, must not ) remove the signage
without the permission of the authorized person.
6. Sweetie, you ____ (can’t, may not) eat whatever you want.
7. I am sorry, you ____ (can’t, may not) be entertained without
your requirements.
8. You ___ (may not, must not ) use a red ball pen in taking
your exam. (strong prohibition)
9-10. Construct a sentence using appropriate modals in the
context of the following situations:
a. You ask your teacher's permission to allow you to be
absent from her class tomorrow.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

b. You ask a stranger's permission to use his or her phone

to contact your friend.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
 PERFORMANCE TASK
Directions: In a 1 whole sheet of paper, write a letter of
advice to other teenagers on the importance of education
using appropriate modals (200 words or more). Your output
will be graded using the rubric below.
 CRITERIA POINTS
CONTENT 5
*The student can express ideas and thoughts in an organized
and effective manner, and the letter's purpose is clearly stated.

APPROPRIATE USE OF MODALS 5

*The student used the modals appropriately in various
situations.

CREATIVITY 5
*The student's delivery of a message in the letter catches the
reader’s attention and is very convincing.

TOTAL 15
• Expressing
References
Permission, Prohibition, and Obligation Using
Modals. (2021).
• Modal Verbs | ENGLISH PAGE. (n.d.).
https://www.englishpage.com/modals/modalintro.html
• White, M. G., MA. (n.d.). Helping Verbs: Meaning and Types
(With Examples). YourDictionary.
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/verbs/hel
ping-verbs.html