Expressing permission,

obligation, and
prohibition using
modals
ASKING OR EXPRESSING
PERMISSION
Modals can, could, and may are the modals used
to express permission.
Can
This is the least formal of the modal verbs
used to ask permission and give permission.
You can use the form can + subject + base form
of the verb or can + base form of the verb.
Example: Can I sit here?
You can use my car if you like.
ASKING OR EXPRESSING
PERMISSION
Modals can, could, and may are the modals used to
express permission.
Could
This is also used to ask for permission (but
not to give permission). Could is more polite and
formal than can. You can use the form could +
subject + base form of the verb (polite).
Example: Could I talk to the manager?
Could I borrow your pen for a moment,
please?
ASKING OR EXPRESSING
PERMISSION
Modals can, could, and may are the modals used to
express permission.
May
This is a polite and formal modal verb used to
ask and give permission. You can use the form
may + base form of the verb.
Example: You may start you exam now.
May I see your passport, please?
These pages may be photocopied for
classroom use.
EXPRESSING OBLIGATION
Must, should, and have to are the modal verbs
used for obligation. We use these modals to say
when something is necessary or unnecessary, or
to give advice.
Example:
You should stop drinking too
much.
You should clean your room.
EXPRESSING OBLIGATION
'Have to' and 'must' are both used to express obligation.
There is a slight difference in the way that they are both
used.

'Have to' shows that the obligation comes from someone

else, not the speaker. This is usually referring to a rule or
law.
Example:
We have to be at the airport at least two hours before
the flight.
I have to work on Saturday.
They have to wear their uniforms at school.
EXPRESSING OBLIGATION
'Must' shows us that the obligation comes from
the speaker.

Examples:
I must hand in my thesis by tomorrow.
I really must call my parents.
I must submit my research by tomorrow.
EXPRESSING PROHIBITION
Modal verbs mustn’t, can’t, may not
are used for prohibition. These modals
are the opposite of those giving
permission.

Can't and mustn't are used to show

that something is prohibited (not
allowed).
EXPRESSING PROHIBITION
Mustn’t usually means that it is the speaker
who is setting the rule.
Examples: You mustn’t use your cellphone in
class.

Can’t usually gives the idea of something that

is against the rules.
Examples: You mustn’t use your cellphone in
class.
EXPRESSING PROHIBITION
May not is the formal way to
prohibit something.
Example: You may not smoke inside
the mall.