THIS IS NOT FOR SALE

MODULE
IN
ENGLISH
GRADE 9
FIRST GRADING PERIOD

DRAFT ONLY

NAME: _________________________
TEACHER: ______________________
 Grade 9 – Quarter 1 – Module 1

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written for you, dear Grade Nine Learners. It
will be a great help to you on how to properly express permission, obligation, and
prohibition. It is here to help you understand better the different functions of modal
verbs. The scope of this module mainly allows the learners to use it in various
learning styles and situations. The language used recognizes the varied vocabulary
levels. The lessons are organized to follow the standard structure of the Most
Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs). The sequence of the lessons given will
help you to clearly understand and use the English Language in your everyday
communication and life style.

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

• Lesson 1 – Modal Verbs of Permission
• Lesson 2 – Modal Verbs of Obligation
• Lesson 3 – Modal Verbs of Prohibition

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the different functions of modal verb;
2. determine the correct modal verbs to be used in a sentence;
3. relate the function of modals in our current situation; and
4. express permission, obligation, and prohibition in written form statement.

What I Know

Complete the following quotations by choosing the letter of the best answer. Write
the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. I _____ accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.
-Michael Jordan
a. may c. can
b. could d. shall

2. I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed,

but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I _____ stand with anybody that
 stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he
goes wrong. - Abraham Lincoln
a. must c. could
b. should d. will

3. Words are seeds that do more than blow around. They land in our hearts and
not the ground. Be careful what you plant and careful what you say. You might
_____ eat what you planted one day. -Unknown
a. ought to c. need to
b. have to d. have got to
4. You _____ never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's
important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming
adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages. - Michelle Obama
a. can c. may
b. must d. should

5. Every day _____ be good, but there is something good in every day. -Alice Morse
Earle
a. cannot c. shall not
b. may not d. must not

6. If we ________ give every individual the right amount of nourishment and

exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way
to health. – Hippocrates
a. should c. may
b. could d. can’t

7. Be careful what you ask for you _______ get what you want.” ― Amanda
Stephan, The Price of Trust
a. could c. must
b. ought to d. may

8. Courage _______ have eyes as well as arms. -Henry George Bohn

a. ought to c. can
b. have to d. may not

9. When you say, "I _____ do it!" - You never will. But, if you say, "I'll give it a try,"
eventually you will succeed.” ― Anthony T. Hincks
a. may not c. can’t
b. must not d. can

10. Laws made by common consent ________ be trampled on by individuals. -

George Washington
a. cannot c. must not
b. may not d. do not
 Lesson

1 Modal Verbs of Permission

Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special
verbs which behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like
"work, play, visit..." They give additional information about the function of the main
verb that follows them. They have a great variety of communicative functions.

How do you ask permission in order for you to be allowed to do something or to go

somewhere? How do you grant or deny a request asked to you by your friend or family
member? There are many ways to achieve these and this lesson will teach you on
how to do it correctly and appropriately. You are also reminded that a polite request
is more likely to be met with a positive outcome but not always.

What’s In

Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the General Community
Quarantine from the Safe City Task Force posted on the official Facebook page of I
Love Taguig. Examine how the questions were asked and analyze the verbs used.
These questions are some examples of sentences that use Modal Verbs of
Permission.

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 What’s New

Study this picture in order for you to have an idea on how to ask and give permission
using the modal verbs may, can and could. Write your insights about their uses and
differences on a separate sheet of paper.

What is It

Modal verbs can be used to give or ask for permission. This lesson will teach you how
to use may, can, and could. Let’s see if your insights about their uses and differences
are correct.

May
• It is the most formal modal verb used to give permission or to state that
someone has permission.
Examples:
Customers may request a refund within a period of 30 days.
You may send these fruits to your mother with my compliments.

• It is also used to ask permission.

Examples:
May we examine some of these evidences that you have?

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 May I have another piece of cake and a glass of orange juice?

• The polite answers using may are as follows:

Yes, you may. No, you may not.

Can
• It is the least formal modal verbs used to ask permission.
Examples:
Can I make a suggestion on how you can improve or enhance your products
and sales?
Can I borrow your laptop and charger for my assignment?

• It is also used to give permission.

Examples:
Students can submit their answered module beginning next week and not
later than the end of the month.
You can borrow my laptop and charger if you really need it.

• It is used to say that someone is allowed to do something

Examples:
Children ten years old and above can use the pool without adult supervision.
Citizens with quarantine pass can go outside to buy necessary things.

Could

• It is used to ask for permission. It is less formal than using may but more
formal than can.
Examples:
Could I bring my pet to the mall to shop with me?
Could I ask you something about the lesson that we discussed last meeting?

• It cannot be used to give permission.

Always Remember:

• Can, may, and could are example of modal verbs. This means that there is no
“s” with he / she / it / singular subject.
Examples:
He may come with you later after our discussion.
Ana can ask you anything about the lesson.

• Can is less formal and more direct than could. When asking in a simple or
direct way we use can.

• When being polite, or wanting to show respect, could is a better choice than
can as it is a more polite form than can.

• May can also be used when asking permission but are much more formal.

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 Lesson

2 Modal Verbs of Obligation

Another function of modal verbs is to express obligation. An obligation is a necessity
or something you have to do. When you have no choice in a certain matter, you can
use the modal verbs must or have to in order to express it. We can use each of them
in a slightly different way. In this lesson, you will know the difference between the
two and you will learn how to express obligation using other modal verbs like should
and ought to.

What’s In

Here is another picture taken from the official page of I Love Taguig. Can you add
more COVID-19 prevention tips? Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

What’s New

Read the excerpt from Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19 Prevention and
Control in Schools by UNICEF and answer the questions that follow. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.
The protection of children and educational facilities is particularly important.
Precautions are necessary to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in school
settings; however, care must also be taken to avoid stigmatizing students and staff
who may have been exposed to the virus. It is important to remember that COVID-
19 does not differentiate between borders, ethnicities, disability status, age or
gender. Education settings should continue to be welcoming, respectful, inclusive,
and supportive environments to all.

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 Share information about what could happen in a reassuring way. For example,
if your child is feeling sick and staying at home or the hospital, you could say, “You
have to stay at home/at the hospital because it is safer for you and your friends. I
know it is hard (maybe scary or even boring) at times, but we need to follow the rules
to keep ourselves and others safe. Things will go back to normal soon.”

1. What is the excerpt all about?

2. What do the underlined words express in the statements?
3. When do we usually use them?

What is It

In English there are various ways to describe rules and obligations, and as a student
it can be tricky to understand which way is right for each situation. Here are the
descriptions of modal verbs that we use to express obligation and how and when to
use them.

Must
• It is the basic and the most direct way of saying that something is compulsory.
It means you have no choice but to do (or not do) an action. We can only use
must in the present form to describe a general or permanent obligation, or an
obligation in the near future. The structure of must is easy because it is the
same for every subject.
Examples:
They must wear face mask when going outside. (plural subject)
He must study harder if he wants to pass the exam. (singular subject)

• It’s possible to make questions with ‘must’ but it’s not very common in
modern English. To make the question form we invert the subject and must.
Examples:
Must I go to the party? I don’t really want to.
Who must we call for an appointment?

Have to
• It has the same meaning as must and is used to express obligations.
However, it is much more flexible than must because we can use it in the
past, the present and the future. For this reason, it is very commonly used
in modern English. Has to is used when the subject is singular and in
present tense.
Examples:
She has to take two trains and a bus to get to school every day.
You have to practice if you want to be fluent in speaking English.

• We use questions with have to to ask if something is obligatory. It is much

more common in modern English than questions with must.
Examples:
What time do we have to start our online class?
Does he have to bring his quarantine pass even we are already implementing
General Community Quarantine (GCQ)?

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Difference between must and have to
1. Generally speaking, in the present affirmative form you can use either must
or have to. However, there is a slight difference when we speak in the first
person. When you want to describe an internal obligation (an order you give
yourself), it’s better to use must.
Example:
These pants don’t fit me anymore. I must lose weight.
2. On the contrary, when you describe an external obligation (an order someone
gives you) we use have to.
Example:
My doctor told me I’m overweight and I have to go on a diet.

3. When orders are general and official, for example on notices and documents,
we usually use must.
Example:
Passengers must keep their bags with them at all times.

Should
• It shows personal obligation or moral obligation. It is used to give an advice or
express opinions. Generally, should is used to indicate an advice or the best
suggestion for a situation.
Examples:
She should study hard so she can pass the exam.
We should be one meter apart from each other to observe social distancing.

Ought to
• While should and ought to are used interchangeably, ought to has the same
use with should but it is more formal. It is also more appropriate to use when
talking about rules, regulations and laws.
Examples:
You ought to follow the traffic rules.
They ought to sign the register before entering the apartment.
You ought to be at our class on time.

Difference between should and ought to

• Ought to and should are similar in meaning. Should is more common than
ought to. Ought to is more formal than should.
Examples:
There ought to be more street lights here. (means the same as There should
be more street lights here.)
I really ought to walk my dog more. He’s so fat. (means the same as I really
should walk my dog more. He’s so fat.)
We ought to make our home and family happy. (means the same as We
should make our home and family happy.)

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 Lesson

3 Modal Verbs of Prohibition

The last function of modal verbs that we will discuss on this module is to express
prohibition. You already have an idea what this is because of our discussions with
lesson one and lesson two. This modal verb is used when something is not allowed
or not permitted. This is the opposite of giving permission and having obligation. This
lesson will teach you on how to do it using can’t, may not, and must not.

What’s In

Here is another picture taken from the official page of I Love Taguig. This shows one
way on how to prevent spreading the virus. Your task is to write additional five things
that you must not do to avoid spreading it. Write your answers on a separate sheet
of paper.

What’s New

Interpret the following signages and write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper.

1.______________ 2.______________ 3.______________ 4.______________ 5.______________

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 What is It

Modal verbs are used for prohibition. These situations are the opposite of giving
permission. This lesson on modal verbs of prohibition will teach you how to use can’t,
may not, and must not to prohibit someone or create rules.

Can’t
• It 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. Can’t is normally used to
show inability but it also shows prohibition. It is like you are saying you do
not have the ability because of the rules.
Examples:
You can’t go out with mask and quarantine pass.
You can’t miss our class next meeting for we will have an assessment.

• It is also used to talk about something that is against the rules, particularly
when we didn't make the rules.
Examples:
Sorry, we can't sell knives and cigarettes to under 18 years old.
What does this sign say? Oh, we can't park here.

May Not
• It is the formal way to prohibit something. Because may is the most formal,
you will often see it in writing.
Examples:
You may not smoke in this house.
You may not eat in the conference room.

Must Not
• It is used when talking about things that are not allowed. They are prohibited
and forbidden due to either real laws, regulations or personal obligations. If it
is the opinion of the speaker it is considered subjective. If it is due to an
external factor such as a rule, law or regulation, it is objective.
Examples:
Teachers mustn’t implement corporal punishment. (objective)
You mustn’t eat so much sugar. (subjective)

• It is particularly used when the prohibition comes from the speaker.

Examples:
(Parent to child) You mustn't say things like that to your sister.
(Teacher to student) You mustn't be late to class.

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 What’s More

Activity 1
Write the modal verbs in the following sentences. Beside your answer, write
what each verb expresses. Use separate sheet of paper for your answers.
Example:
The contestants have to be at the venues an hour before the competition.
Answer: have to-obligation

1. You mustn’t blame yourself for this.

2. He has to take responsibility for the accident.
3. They ought to have got back home by now.
4. Could you open the window please?
5. They have to be more punctual.
6. They can’t find the missing document.
7. He must take his medicine three times a day.
8. You should see a doctor.
9. You can stay here as long as you want to.
10. She may take her brother along with her.

Activity 2
Complete each sentence with appropriate modal verb. Choose the letter of the
correct answer and write it on a separate sheet of paper.

1. You ______ make noise near the church while having mass.
a. can c. mustn't
b. must d. may

2. You ______ put the rubbish into the bin.

a. must c. has to
b. mustn't d. can’t

3. I ______ watch TV late at night. My parents say I must go to bed early.

a. can c. ought to
b. must d. can’t

4. I _______ do my homework now.

a. can c. may not
b. mustn't d. have to

5. I ______ listen to the music I like. My parents like it too.

a. can c. mustn't
b. must d. can’t

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Activity 3
The following expressions are used to show permission, obligation and
prohibition. Complete these expressions to construct a meaningful sentence with
proper use of modal verbs. Write your sentences on a separate sheet of paper.

Example:
You have to ___________________________________________
You have to be here on time or we will leave without you.

1. Our parents may ______________________________________________

2. Our barangay officials can______________________________________
3. You could _____________________________________________________
4. We as students must __________________________________________
5. Filipinos have to _______________________________________________
6. The community should _________________________________________
7. Our teachers ought to __________________________________________
8. This pandemic can’t ____________________________________________
9. Our friends may not ____________________________________________
10. I must not _____________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

1. Modals are special verbs that give additional information about the
function of the main verb that follows them. They have a great variety
of communicative functions. It is used to express __________, __________,
and ___________.
2. Some of the modal verbs that are used to express permission are __________,
__________, and __________.
3. The most formal way to ask permission is using __________ followed by could
and the least formal is can.
4. May, can and could are used to ask permission but only may and can are used
to give permission. _______ cannot be used to give permission.
5. There are two types of modal verbs of obligation: those that primarily express
a firm obligation or necessity __________ and __________; and those that
express a recommendation or moral obligation __________and __________.
6. Generally speaking, in the present affirmative form you can use either must
or have to in expressing obligation. However, there is a slight difference when
we speak in the first person. When you want to describe an internal obligation
(an order you give yourself), it’s better to use __________. On the contrary, when
you describe an external obligation (an order someone gives you) we use
__________.
7. Some of the modal verbs that are used to express prohibition are __________,
__________, and __________.
8. __________ 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.
9. __________ is the formal way to prohibit something and you will often see it in
writing.
10. __________ is particularly used when the prohibition comes from the speaker.

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 What I Can Do

Write a free verse poem dedicated to our frontliners who served amid the COVID-19
pandemic. Your poem must have 3 stanzas with four lines each. Write your poem
on a separate sheet of paper to be submitted next week (date) together with your
module and complete answer sheets.
RUBRIC FOR THE POEM
Criteria 4 3 2 1
The entire Most of the Some of the No attempt has
poem is related poem is related poem is related been made to
Focus on to the assigned to the assigned to the assigned relate the poem
Assigned topic and topic. The topic, but a to the assigned
Topic allows the poem wanders reader does not topic.
reader to off at one point, learn much
understand but the reader about the topic.
much more can still learn
about the topic. something
about the topic.
The poem The poem The poem There is little
contains many contains a few contains a few evidence of
creative details creative details creative details creativity in the
and/or and/or and/or poem. The
Creativity descriptions descriptions descriptions, author does
that contribute that contribute but they not seem to
to the reader's to the reader's distract from have used
enjoyment. The enjoyment. The the poem. The much
author has author has author has imagination.
really used his used his tried to use his
imagination. imagination. imagination.
There are no There is one There are 2-3 There are more
Spelling and spelling or spelling or spelling and than 3 spelling
Punctuation punctuation punctuation punctuation and
errors. error. errors. punctuation
errors.
Title is creative, Title is related Title is present, No title.
sparks interest to the poem but does not
Title and is related and topic. appear to be
to the poem related to the
and topic. poem and
topic.
Modal verbs of Two modal One modal verb No modal verb
permission, verbs are is used is used in the
obligation, and correctly used correctly in the poem.
Use of Modal prohibition are in the poem poem.
Verbs all correctly
used in the
poem.

15
 Assessment
Part I. Identify the appropriate modals to be used in the following sentences. The
choices are given in the box. Write the letter of your choice on a separate sheet of
paper.
a. have to b. can’t c. can d. must e. mustn’t

1. You ______ serve two masters at the same time with the same degree.
2. You ______ stop when the traffic lights turn red.
3. You ______ sit here while waiting for her to arrive.
4. People ______ drink and drive cars. It is prohibited.
5. Do I ______ wear face mask even I am already wearing faceshield?

Part II. Choose the correct modal that will complete the sentence. Write your answer
on a separate sheet of paper.
1. If you want to lose weight, you (have to, must not) eat so much chocolates
candies.
2. Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday. I (have to, can) get up early.
3. When I was a child, I (should, may) dance whenever we have a visitor.
4. I (mustn’t, must) study tonight. My exams are tomorrow.
5. (Could, May) I see the daily report?
6. You (can, must) come in as long as you already sanitize yourself.
7. I (can, can’t) do this anymore. I already want to give up.
8. You (ought to, can’t) visit your grandmother. She is too old and sick.
9. He (must, may) take his medicine three times a day for him to get well.
10. We (may, may not) be allowed to enter because of your inappropriate attire.

Additional Activities

You are currently experiencing the new normal education where you are studying at
home. We, your teachers, are always here especially whenever you have questions or
difficulties. Rest assured that we will work together in order for you to learn despite
the pandemic that we are currently encountering. Nothing can stop us!
As a student, think of five permissions, five obligations and five prohibitions that you
need to follow while we are in distance learning. Use appropriate modal and complete
sentence in accomplishing the table below. Use a separate sheet of paper for your
answers.

You are permitted to… You are obliged to… You are prohibited to…

Example: Example: Example:

I can use other references I must answer this I must not cheat in
in answering this module. module honestly. answering this module.

16
References

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the General Community Quarantine- What’s
In? Retrieved June 20, 2020,
https://www.facebook.com/taguigsafecity/photos/a.118607053198608/11861027
3198286/?type=3&theater

Modal Verbs: Permission- What’s New? Retrieved June 20, 2020,

http://blogalles71.blogspot.com/2018/04/modal-verbs-permission-
prohibition.html

Modal Verbs of Permission: May, Can, and Could- What Is It? Retrieved June 20,
2020,
https://www.englishlessonviaskype.com/asking-and-giving-permission-in-english/
https://sentence.yourdictionary.com/may
http://www.learnenglish-online.com/grammar/modals/permission.html
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-
intermediate/modals-permission-and-obligation
http://www.advanced-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-permission.html
https://www.english-at-home.com/learn-can/

COVID-19 Prevention Tips- What’s In? Retrieved June 21, 2020,

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=640510796537809

Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools - What’s
New? Retrieved June 21, 2020,
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/key-messages-and-
actions-for-covid-19-prevention-and-control-in-schools-march-
2020.pdf?sfvrsn=baf81d52_4&gclid=CjwKCAjwr7X4BRA4EiwAUXjbt58J6PZJORWE
HyToERUl5ejseULlkcmx8GHlKYC5WvYLgA7-bvYDzxoCMiIQAvD_BwE

Modal Verbs of Obligation: Must, Have to, Should, and Ought to- What Is It?
Retrieved June 20, 2020,
https://blog.lingoda.com/en/modals-probability-obligation-explained
http://www.learnenglish-online.com/grammar/modals/obligation.html
https://www.wallstreetenglish.com/blog/the-difference-between-must-have-to-
shall-need-and-may/
https://www.english-at-home.com/grammar-modals-obligation/
https://sites.google.com/site/nutsaboutenglish/grammar/modals-should-must-
have-to
https://www.grammar.com/should_vs._ought_to_vs._must
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/ought-to

How to Prevent Spreading the Virus? - What’s In? Retrieved June 21, 2020,
https://www.facebook.com/thinkbigtaguig/photos/a.469882283203437/1419720
528219603/?type=3&theater
Modal Verbs of Prohibition: Can’t, May Not, and Must Not- What Is It? Retrieved June
21, 2020,
http://www.learnenglish-online.com/grammar/modals/prohibition.html

17
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-
intermediate/modals-permission-and-obligation
https://speakhut.com/modals-obligation-prohibition/
Activities – What’s More? and Assessment Retrieved June 21, 2020,
tesol-direct.com/tesol-resources/english-grammar-guide/modal-auxiliary-verbs/
https://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/voir2r.php?id=80352

Rubrics for the Poem – What I Can Do? Retrieved July 3, 2020,
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1107387
&#:~:text=The%20entire%20poem%20is%20related,much%20more%20about%20th
e%20topic.&text=The%20poem%20contains%20a%20few,author%20has%20used%
20his%20imagination

18