SEMAINE 18 – JOUR 5 Révision + Listening Thème : Modals of Obligation & Permission
INTRODUCTION
Cette semaine, tu as appris à :
✔️ exprimer l’obligation (must / have to)
✔️ donner la permission (can / may)
✔️ interdire (must not)
Aujourd’hui :
zéro confusion
réflexes rapides
utilisation naturelle
LISTENING DU JOUR
REVISION
1. The Modal Power Grid
Modals tell us the « vibe » of the obligation. Are you choosing to do it, or is someone forcing you?
| Modal | Use Case | The Secret Key |
| Must | Personal Necessity | « I feel » it is important. |
| Have To | External Rule | « They say » I have to do it. |
| Can | Informal Permission | « Is it okay? » (Casual) |
| May | Formal Permission | « Do I have authorization? » (Professional) |
Warning: Mustn’t means « It’s forbidden. » Don’t have to means « It’s optional. » They are not the same!
2. The Official Vocabulary Spectrum
When writing or speaking professionally, use these specific adjectives to describe the level of a rule.
🚫 Prohibited: Stop! It is strictly forbidden (e.g., smoking in an office).
⚠️ Mandatory: You have no choice; it is required by law (e.g., wearing a seatbelt).
✅ Authorized: You have the official « green light » to do it.
🟢 Optional: It is up to you. You can do it if you want, but you are off the hook if you don’t.
3. Roles vs. Actions (The -ING Rule)
Don’t confuse your job title with your daily tasks.
The Position: Use « Responsible for » or « In charge of ».
Structure: [Subject] + [Be] + [Phrase] + [Verb-ING].
Example: « I am in charge of training the new staff. »
The Action: Use « Handle » or « Deal with ».
Structure: [Subject] + [Verb].
Example: « I handle technical problems every day. »
EXERCICES
Part A: Choose the Best Word
Select the correct option to complete the professional scenario.
In this office, wearing a tie is (optional / mandatory); you can wear a t-shirt if you prefer.
Stop! You (mustn’t / don’t have to) enter that room without a hard hat. It is dangerous.
I am (handling / in charge of) the entire logistics department this year.
If you have a technical problem, please talk to John. He (deals with / is authorized) all software bugs.
(Can / May) I have your attention for a moment, Mr. Director? I have a formal request.
Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Use the words: Prohibited, Authorized, Must, Have to, Bottom line.
My boss told me I __________ attend the seminar in Paris next month.
Smoking is strictly __________ near the fuel tanks.
I __________ remember to call the client back before 5:00 PM. It’s very important to me.
Only __________ personnel are allowed to sign these official documents.
We have discussed many ideas, but the __________ is that we need more funding.
1. Optional
Why? The second part of the sentence says « you can wear a t-shirt, » which means there is no obligation.
2. Mustn’t
Why? This is a prohibition. « Don’t have to » would mean you have a choice, but for safety (dangerous room), you are forbidden from entering without protection.
3. In charge of
Why? « In charge of » describes a leadership position or a general role.
4. Deals with
Why? This describes the specific action of managing or fixing a problem.
5. May
Why? Because the context is formal (« Mr. Director »), « May » is the most polite and professional choice for asking permission.
6. Have to
Why? The obligation comes from the boss (an external rule), not from the speaker’s own feelings.
7. Prohibited
Why? This is a formal way to say something is strictly forbidden, especially for safety reasons.
8. Must
Why? This expresses a personal necessity. The speaker feels it is important to remember the call.
9. Authorized
Why? This refers to having the official power or permission to do something.
10. Bottom line
Why? This idiom is used to summarize the most important point of a conversation or situation.