- •Modal verbs
- •In some cases this can cause difficulty.
- •It could have been tomato soup.
- •I can smell gas.
- •I could see some a few stars in the sky.
- •Talking about permission
- •It was only after several months when I was allowed to visit her.
- •Giving permission
- •Asking for permission
- •Instructions and requests-can, could, will, would
- •Imperatives are not very polite.
- •I’d like you to finish this work by Thursday.
- •I’d like to ask you one question.
- •I wonder if you could look after my cat while I am away?
- •I had to wear a suit.
- •I went about brooding over my lot, wondering almost hourly what was to become of me.
- •If we are to remain friends you must tell me the truth.
I can smell gas.
I could see some a few stars in the sky.
PERMISSION – CAN, COULD, MAY
We use can or be allowed to to talk about whether someone has permission to do something or not.
We usually use can to give someone permission to do something.
We usually use can or could to ask for permission to do something.
Talking about permission
Can is used to say that someone is allowed to do something. We use cannot or can’t to say that they are not allowed to do it. (According to some laws, circumstances or rules).
Students can take a year away from the university.
Children cannot bathe except in the presence of two lifesavers.
We use could to say that someone was allowed to do something in the past. We use could not or couldn’t to say that they were not allowed to do it.
We couldn’t go to the library after 5 p.m.
Both students and staff could use the swimming pool.
We also use be allowed to when we are talking about permission, but not when we are asking for it or giving it.
It was only after several months when I was allowed to visit her.
You are not allowed to use calculators in exams.
In more formal situations, may is used to say that someone is allowed to do something, and may not is used to say that they are not allowed to do it.
They may do exactly as they like.
Giving permission
When we want to give someone permission to do something, we use can.
You can borrow that pen if you want.
She can go with you.
May is also used to give permission but it is more formal.
You may speak.
You may leave as soon as you have finished.
When we want to refuse someone permission to do something, we use cannot (can’t), will not (won’t), shall not (shan’t). Shan’t is used only with the second and third persons.
‘Can I have some sweets?’-‘No, you can’t’
You shan’t leave without my permission.
Very often the negative answer to the question containing a request for permission is don’t or must not.
May I read the letter please?
No, don’t, please.
Don’t is less strict than may not, it is rather asking somebody not to do something than actually prohibiting something.
Mustn’t means that it is not the person who prohibits the action, but there are facts, rules and circumstances prohibiting it.
You mustn’t smoke so much.
Asking for permission
When we are asking for permission to do something, we use can or could. If we ask in a very simple and direct way we use can.
Can I ask a question?
Could is more polite than can.
Could I just interrupt a minute?
May is also used to ask permission but it is more formal.
May I have a cigarette?
Might is rather old-fashioned and is not often used in this way.
7. We have to use be allowed to instead of a modal verb, if we are using another modal, or if we want to use - ing form, past participle or to-infinitive.
Teachers will be allowed to decide for themselves.
They have not been allowed to come.