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English
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Expressing Permission Using
Modals (Part I)
English – Grade 9
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Expressing Permission Using Modals (Part I)
First Edition, 2020

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included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been
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Published by the Department of Education

OIC-Schools Division Superintendent: Carleen S. Sedilla CESE
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent: Brian E. Ilan EdD

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Jenny P. Olinares

Editor: Eden F. Samadan

Reviewers: Eden F. Samadan

Layout Artist: Jenny P. Olinares

Management Team: Angelita S. Jalimao

Chief Education Supervisor, Curriculum Implementation Division

Neil Vincent C. Sandoval

Education Program Supervisor, LRMS

Eden F. Samadan
Division English Coordinator/School Principal II

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 What I Need to Know

Communication is an important part of our existence. We build

interactions and harmony with other people by communicating well. This is why
we need to establish the proper use of words and structure on the way we
converse. Consequently, modals are commonly used in our daily conversations.
We use modals to convey what we want to say towards other people.

This module focuses on the concepts and skills on using modals

appropriately in given situations. You will gain the knowledge and skills on how
to use modals in expressing permission. In addition, the language used
recognized the diverse vocabulary level of students. You are encouraged to follow
and complete every task at your own pace.

LESSON 1: Express Permission Using Modals

After going through each lesson for this module, you are expected to:

1. identify modals;
2. distinguish the modals to be used in expressing permission; and
3. use modals to express permission.

What I Know

Complete the given sentences by choosing the appropriate modal. Write the letter of the
correct answer on a separate sheet.

1. Which of the following is a modal of permission?

A. can
B. might
C. should
D. would

2. Which of the following is a modal of permission in the past?

A. can
B. could
C. shall
D. will

3. Which modal can be used to express that something is not allowed or permitted?
A. can’t
B. mustn’t
C. shouldn’t
D. won’t

4. Isaac _________ never imagine his life without her. What modal will complete this
sentence?

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 A. can
B. can’t
C. couldn’t
D. ought to

5. What modal will complete this sentence? ________ you show me how to start a
meeting using google meet?
A. Could
B. Must
C. Shall
D. Will

6. Which modal expresses permission?

A. May I go out?
B. Princess can draw.
C. MJ should be home by 7pm.
D. Red must always wear his facemask.

7. Ian asks permission from his teacher that he will go to the clinic. Which of the
following should he say?
A. Will I go to the clinic?
B. May I go to the clinic?
C. Must I go to the clinic?
D. Shall I go to the clinic?

8. What modal of permission will complete this sentence? You _____ use my pen in
filling out the form.
A. can’t
B. may
C. might
D. shall

9. What modal of permission will complete this sentence? Gianna _____ drive a car
when she was 18 years old.
A. can
B. could
C. shall
D. will

10. Ghin _______ extend her time in school because she’s pregnant. What modal will
complete this sentence?
A. could
B. couldn’t
C. may
D. must

11. It _______ rain today so I brought my umbrella. What modal will complete this
sentence?
A. can
B. may
C. must
D. should

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12. I _______ never forget to wear my mask every time I go outside. What modal will
complete this sentence?
A. can
B. could
C. may
D. must

13. Ephraim ________ hear the speaker because his schoolmates are very noisy. What
modal will complete this sentence?
A. cannot
B. need not
C. must not
D. should not

14. Kate can send you money via GCash. What type of modal is used in the sentence?
A. Modal of ability
B. Modal of necessity
C. Modal of obligation
D. Modal of possibility

15. Rhian may join the singing competition soon. What type of modal is used in the
sentence?
A. Modal of ability
B. Modal of promise
C. Modal of necessity
D. Modal of possibility

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 Lesson

1 Express Permission Using Modals

Modals are commonly used to convey a purpose and to create meaning to what we say
every day. Hence, this lesson provides a discussion on how we will use modal effectively
to communicate well in our daily living. There will be a set of examples and exercises
that you will accomplish to have a deeper understanding of the lessons.

What’s In

Guess the title of the songs and answer the questions that follow.

I can live, I can love

I can reach the heavens above
I can right what is wrong
I can sing just any song
I can dance, I can fly
And touch the rainbow in the sky
I can be your good friend
I can love you until the end

Title: _____________________________

I know I can treat you better

Than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Tell me why are we wasting time
On all your wasted cryin'
When you should be with me instead
I know I can treat you better
Better than he can

Title: _____________________________

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 Wish I may, wish I might find a way to your heart
Wish that I'll be the sun to warm you all through your life
Wish you may feel my love that is hidden in the stars
Wish I may, wish I might be the one

Title: _____________________________

If I got locked away

And we lost it all today

Tell me honestly, would you still love me the same?

If I showed you my flaws

If I couldn't be strong
Tell me honestly, would you still love me the same?

Title: _____________________________

Questions:

1. What do you call the underlined words?

2. What do these words express in the said lines?
3. Can you give other modals that you know?

What’s New

Asking Permission
Read the conversation below then underline all the modals used.

Jaz: Good evening, Dad! May I talk to you?

Dad: Yes, dear. What do you want to say?
Jaz: Andie invited me to watch a cinema with her this weekend. May I join her?
Dad: May I know where the cinema is and what time you are leaving?
Jaz: Of course! It’s in Ayala. Around 3pm.
Dad: Okay, you may go with her but make sure to go home early.
Jaz: Yes, dad! Thank you very much!
Dad: You can tell your brother to bring you there.
Jaz: Wow! Appreciate it so much.

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 What is It

What are Modals?

Modals are helping verbs, otherwise known as auxiliary verbs. Modals immediately
precede the main verb of a sentence.

ex: can, could, had better, have got to, have to, might, may, need to, ought to,
shall, should, and will.

How do I use modals in a sentence?

modal + main verb

ex. The boy said he can vlog about his quarantine days in the province.
You may disinfect your area from time to time to avoid catching the virus.

What are the different types of modals?

There are different types of modals like modals of prediction, ability, permission,
request, intention, necessity, certainty, hypothesis and a lot more.

In this module, we will focus on the modals that are used to EXPRESS PERMISSION:

1) We use can, could, and may to ask permission.

o Can is informal.
ex. Can I speak with Mr. Ken Rosales?

o Could is more formal and polite.

ex. Could you help me in cooking?

o May is formal.
ex. May I speak with Mr. Gavin Jacob?

2) We use was allowed to and could to ask if something was permitted in the
past.
ex. Were you allowed to go overnight with us?
Could you drive your car when you were a teenager?

3) We use can to allow or to permit someone to do something.

ex. You can bring your family to the party.

You can use my phone for emergency calls.

4) We use can’t to say that something is not allowed or permitted.

ex. Marc can’t drive without driver’s license.

The students can’t enter the school premises without Identification

Cards (ID).

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 5) We use couldn’t to say that something was not allowed or permitted in the
past.
ex. Jaz couldn’t date any man until she turned 25.
The customers couldn’t dine in the restaurants when Enhanced
Community Quarantine was implemented.

What’s More

Complete each conversation by underlining the correct modal.

Conversation 1
1. Hi, Vea! (Can, May) I borrow a book in Social Studies?
2. Yes! You (can, could) bring it at home for you to read it.

Conversation 2
1. Mom, (can, may) I use your phone for a while?
2. Yes, you (can, may) my phone for emergency calls.

Conversation 3
1. Dad, ( can, could) you drive a car when you were 18 years old?
2. Yes, I learned at a very young age. You (can, could) start practising to drive our
car.

Conversation 4
1. You _____ (can’t, couldn’t) have your encashment at the bank without your valid
IDs.
2. Thank you for that reminder!

Conversation 5
1. Oh dear, ______ (can, may) I borrow your car tomorrow?
2. Yes, you ______ (can, may).

What I Have Learned

For sure you learned that modals are helping verbs, and they immediately precede the
main verb of a sentence.
There are different types of modals like modals of prediction, ability, permission, request,
intention, necessity, certainty, hypothesis and a lot more.
Yet we only focused on modals of permission in this module such as can, can’t, could,
couldn’t, may. Can you use any of the following modals of permission in a sentence?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 What I Can Do

Excellent! You reached this part of the module wherein you will apply the concepts and
skills you acquired from the lesson.

You are tasked to use the modals that you learned in expressing permission. You will
be given a situation and write your response.

1) You ask permission from your teacher to allow you go to the school clinic.

__________________________________________________________________________

2) You ask your mother to allow you to go to a party tonight.

___________________________________________________________________

3) You remind your friend that bringing gadgets is prohibited in school.

__________________________________________________________________

4) You tell your colleague that no one is allowed to bring a friend in the ceremony.

___________________________________________________________________

5) You ask your teacher to allow you to submit your project next week.

___________________________________________________________________

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 Assessment

Fill in the blanks the correct modals. Choose your answer from the word pool.

can can’t could couldn’t may

may I know the time?

1. Pardon, sir! _____

can visit the patient at the scheduled time.

2. The relatives _____

could use phone during class.

3. I do not think that we _____

4. We _____ get into the concerts without tickets so we just went home.

5. I am afraid to inform you that you ____ take the exam until you pay for it.

may I go with Angelo to the park?

6. Mom, _____

can I speak with the principal?

7. Hello, _____

8. He _____ go to school tomorrow due to fever.

9. _____ you lend me a pencil because I left mine at home.

10. You _____ borrow my book for your reference.

11. Jane and Jo-Ann _______ remit the money because they are still on duty.

12. The Filipino citizens ________ post anytime in Facebook.

13. You ______ order online but please limit it to a thousand only.

14. Allan asked his sister, “_______ sleep in your condo tonight?”

15. The students ________ go outside due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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