A Semi-Detailed Lesson Plan

I. Objectives

At the end of the lesson the students are expected to:

a. Determine the different type of modals;

b. identify different uses of modals; and
c. differentiate modal verbs from one another.

II. Subject Matter

Topic: Modal Verbs

References: https://www.turtlediary.com/lesson/modal-verbs-and-their-functions.html
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/modal-verbs/

Materials: Visual Aids, PowerPoint Presentation, and Laptop

III. Procedure
A. Preliminary Activities
1. Prayer
2. Greetings
3. Checking of Attendance
4. Classroom Management
B. Motivation

The teacher will write three modal verbs on the board. Teacher will make a sentence with one of
the modal verbs written. The teacher will call students to give their example.

C. Lesson Proper

The teacher will discuss the topic.

Modal Verbs
Modal verbs show possibility, intent, ability, or necessity. Because they’re a type of auxiliary verb (helper
verb), they’re used alongside the infinitive form of the main verb of a sentence. Common examples of
modal verbs include can, should, and must.

How are Modal Verbs used?

Modal verbs are used to express certain hypothetical conditions, such as advisability, capability, or
requests (there’s a full list in the next section). They’re used alongside a main verb to inflect its meaning.

For example:
 ● I swim every Tuesday
● I can swim every Tuesday

The first example is a simple factual statement. The speaker participates in a swimming activity every
week on Tuesdays.

The second example uses the modal verb can. Notice how the meaning changes slightly. The speaker does
not necessarily swim every Tuesday; they’re saying that they are capable of swimming every Tuesday or
that the possibility exists for them to swim every Tuesday. It’s hypothetical.

Because modal verbs are auxiliary, they can’t generally be used on their own. A modal verb can appear
alone only in a sentence only if the main verb is implied because it has previously been established.

For instance:
● Can you swim every Tuesday?
● Yes, I can.

Modal verbs are quite common in English; you’ve seen them in action hundreds of times even if you
didn’t know what they were called. The most frequently used ones are:

● can
● may
● might
● could
● should
● would
● will
● must

There are other, less common modal verbs. Some—like shall and ought—are rarely used any longer.
There are also verbs that can function either as main verbs or as modal auxiliaries depending on the
context; got, need, and have all behave like modal verbs in the common colloquial expressions got to,
need to, and have to. Some modal verbs express very specific conditions that don’t come up often, like
dare in its modal form in “Dare I ask?” The word used in the idiomatic phrase used to, as in “I used to be
an English student too,” behaves like a modal verb with only a past tense form.

When are modal verbs used?

Likelihood
Some things seem likely to be true but can’t be stated as definite facts. In these cases, you can use the
modal verbs should and must to show probability without certainty.
 ● Her boyfriend must be so proud
● My baby boy should be asleep by now.

Possibility
In a situation when something is possible but not certain, use the modal verb could, may, or might.

● Judging by the clouds, it might rain today.

● She may become the youngest pro soccer player ever.

Ability
The modal verb can expresses whether the subject of a sentence is able to do something. Likewise, the
negative form, cannot or can’t, shows that the subject is unable to do something.

● She can speak three languages but none of them well.

● You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

Permission
If you want to ask permission to do something, start your question with can, may, or could. Traditionally,
may is considered more formal and polite usage for permission; if you ask “Can I go to the bathroom?” it
could be misinterpreted as “Do I have the ability to go to the bathroom?” However, in modern informal
usage, may and can are both perfectly acceptable options for describing possibility or permission.

● Students, you may leave early today.

● Could I play too?

Request
Similarly, if you want to ask someone else to do something, start your question with will, would, can, or
could.

● Would you get that box off the top shelf?

● Will you turn that music down?

Suggestion/advice
What if you want to recommend a course of action but not command it? If you’re giving suggestions or
advice without ordering someone around, you can use the modal verb should.
● You should try the lasagna.
● That guy should wear less cologne.
Command

On the other hand, if you want to command someone, use the modal verbs must, have, or need. With the

latter two, the main verb does not drop the word to from its infinitive form.

● You must wash your hands before cooking.

● You need to be here before 8:00.

Obligation or necessity

Modal verbs can express a necessary action, such as an obligation, duty, or requirement. Likewise, the

negative forms express that an action is not necessary. Use the same modal verbs as with commands:

must, have, and need.

● We have to wait for our boss to arrive before we open.

● You don’t need to come if you don’t want to.

Habit

To show an ongoing or habitual action—something the subject does regularly—you can use the modal

verb would for the past tense and will for the present and future. The phrase used to is also acceptable

when you’re talking about a habit in the past.

● When I lived alone, I would fall asleep with music.

● I will arrive early to every meeting and leave late.

D. Application

Direction: Write “fact” if the sentence about the uses of modals is true and write “bluff” if it’s not.

1. You can use the modal “can” to express or inquire about willingness.
2. To make a request, you can use the modal “shall.”
3. In asking for permission, using the modal “ought to” should be considered.
 4. “Should” is used to make a suggestion or advice.
5. Using modal “might” in commanding someone is acceptable.
6. “Ought to” is similar to “should” but with a stronger sense of obligation.
7. You couldn’t use any modals to express possibility in the past.
8. Modal verb “may” expresses in the present and future.
9. You can use the modal “shall” for asking what to do.
10. “Will” is used to express intention.

E. Generalization

Modals are tricky and confusing however, they have different uses. Which is to show likelihood,
possibility, ability, permission, request, suggestions, command, obligation and habit. In using
modals, you must consider or think of the purpose of your sentence or words. Just like: asking for
permission, requesting, commanding someone, stating obligation etc.

F. Valuing

As you now know the modal verbs, its differences and its uses. You can now be clear with what
you are saying, writing and asking and you’ll be more understood or perceived positively because
of knowing the modals and how it is used.

IV. Evaluation

Direction: Fill the blanks with the right modal verbs. (can, may, might, could, should, would,
will, and must)

1. _______ you say it again more slowly. (To make a request.)

2. you help me move next Sunday? (To express or inquire about willingness.)
3. Dr. Swift / _______ be your professor next year. (To express possibility in the
present and future)
4. He have seen the movie before he read the book. (To express possibility in the
past.)
5. you open the fan, please? It's very hot in here. (To make a semi-formal request.)
6. you pass the plates please? (For requests.)
7. I be excused from the class? (In formal situations, to express permission, in the
sense of being allowed to do something.)
8. We're going to go to the beach. you come with us? (To show willingness or
interest.)
9. The cat meow every time the doorbell rang. (To show habitual activity .)
10. It's already 11 PM! You be sleepy! (To make a conjecture, but with some
certainty.)
V. Assignment

Create (3-5) sentences essay about what you have learned about modal verbs.