YOU CAN
MAKE A
U-TURN
HERE
YOU
CAN
PITCH IN
HERE
DO
NOT
EAT
HERE
SMOKING
IS NOT
ALLOWED
YOU CAN MAKE A U-TURN
HERE
YOU CAN PITCH IN HERE
DO NOT EAT HERE
SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED
Expressing
Permission
Using Modals
Week 1 Quarter 1
Modals
● modal verbs
● modal auxiliary
verbs
● modal auxiliaries
Modals are
special verbs
which behave
irregularly in
English.
They are
different from
normal verbs
like work, play,
and visit.
They give additional
information about
the function of the
main verb that
follows them.
Normal Verb Modal
1. Jose’s 1. Jose
father can work
works as while
a chef. studying.
Normal Verb Modal
2. Lots of 2. They
grade 9 can play
students ML after
play ML. class.
Normal Verb Modal
3. Rene 3. Rene
visits his may not
aunt visit his
every aunt for a
week. week.
Permission is a
consent or
agreement given
to a request.
It is usually
expressed by
using modals of
permission.
Modals that
express
permission:
can, could,
may, might
can + verb
(base form)
can go ✔
can goes X
could sing ✔
could singingX
may take ✔
may taken X
might add ✔
might added X
can
-is less polite
and for
familiar people
You can eat
whatever you like.
Can I bring
my friend
with me?
You can bring
with you
anyone you
like.
You can play
outside when you
finish your task.
could
- more polite and
formal modal in
asking permission
Could I
borrow
your
book?
Could you
please help me?
could
-expresses a statement
that somebody was
allowed to do
something in the past
but not in the present
Before the
pandemic, we
could go out and
eat anywhere we
liked.
may
-the most polite
and formal way to
ask and give
permission
May I go out,
Ma’am?
May I please go
out, Ma’am?
Yes, you may.
Ma’am/Sir, may
I leave the
group chat?
Medical practitioners
affected by
COVID-19 may now
claim their financial
assistance from the
government.
May I
use your
restroom,
please?
You may now
kiss the bride.
might
-is used for respect
and politeness
-rarely used
(old-fashioned tone)
Might I ask what
your name is?
Might I suggest
something?
Choose a modal
that best
completes each
statement.
can
could
may
might
1. Mom, _______ I
can
go out with Joy
to the school
party?
2. Hello, _______ I
may
speak with Mr.
Santiago, please?
3. _________ you
Could
lend me an extra
pencil, please?
4. Waiter, _______ I
may
trouble you for a
glass of water,
please?
4. Waiter, _______ I
might
trouble you for a
glass of water,
please?
5. Sure, you
_______ go now.
can
I’ve got you
covered!
What
would you
say?
Directions:
Study the situations
below and write your
response using
appropriate modals.
1. You want to use
your classmate’s
phone to send your
mother a message.
2. A student from another
section announces the names
of students being summoned
to the office of the guidance
counselor. You wish to know
if your name is on the list.
3. A police officer is at
your door looking for a
member of your family.
You are cautious and you
want to make sure of his
identity.
GROUP ACTIVITY
Given the situation
assigned to your group,
present a dialogue that
makes use of modals to
ask and give permission.
Group 1: at the supermarket
Group 2: at a movie theater
Group 3: a birthday party
Group 4: an interview with a
senator
Group 5: an overnight movie
Marathon
Group 6: at a fruit stand
can
may
could
might
