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Understanding Modal Verbs for Permission

The document explains the use of modal verbs for permission, prohibition, and obligation in English. It details how 'can', 'could', and 'may' are used to ask for and give permission, while 'can't' and 'mustn't' indicate prohibition. Additionally, it distinguishes between 'have to' for external obligations and 'must' for strong obligations from the speaker.

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6 views2 pages

Understanding Modal Verbs for Permission

The document explains the use of modal verbs for permission, prohibition, and obligation in English. It details how 'can', 'could', and 'may' are used to ask for and give permission, while 'can't' and 'mustn't' indicate prohibition. Additionally, it distinguishes between 'have to' for external obligations and 'must' for strong obligations from the speaker.

Uploaded by

Luciana Gonzalez
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Grammar explanation

We often use verbs with modal meanings to talk about permission and obligation.

Permission
can

We often use can to ask for and give permission.

Can I sit here?


You can use my car if you like.
Can I make a suggestion?

could

We also use could to ask for permission (but not to give it). Could is more formal and polite than can.

Could I ask you something?


Could I interrupt?
Could I borrow your pen for a moment, please?

may

May is the most formal way to ask for and give permission.

May I see your passport, please?


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These pages may be photocopied for classroom use.

Prohibition
We use can't and mustn't to show that something is prohibited – it is not allowed.

can't

We use can't to talk about something that is against the rules, particularly when we didn't make the rules.

What does this sign say? Oh, we can't park here.


You can't take photos in the museum. They're really strict about it.
Sorry, we can't sell knives to under-18s.

must not/mustn't

We use must not to talk about what is not permitted. It is common on public signs and notices informing
people of rules and laws.

Visitors must not park in the staff car park.


Baggage must not be left unattended.
Guests must not make noise after 10 p.m.

We use mustn't particularly when the prohibition comes from the speaker.
(Parent to child) You mustn't say things like that to your sister.
(Teacher to student) You mustn't be late to class.
I mustn't let that happen again.

Obligation
We use have to and must to express obligation. There is a slight difference between the way we use them.

have to

Have to shows us that the obligation comes from outside the speaker.

We have to wear a uniform when we're working in reception.


(Student to teacher) When do we have to hand in our homework?
Al has to work tomorrow so he can't come.

We sometimes call this 'external obligation'.

must

Must expresses a strong obligation or necessity. It often shows us that the obligation comes from the
speaker (or the authority that wrote the sentence).

I must phone my dad. It's his birthday today.


(Teacher to student) You must hand in your homework on Tuesday or you will lose ten per cent of your
mark.
(Sign on a plane) Seat belts must be worn by all passengers.

Note that we don't use must to express obligation in the past. We use have to instead.

I had to pay £85 to renew my passport last week

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