Permission and prohibition: can, could, may, be allowed to

CAN is used:

l) (not) to give someone permission to do something.

You can(not) go with me.

2) to say that someone is(n't) allowed to do something.

Students can(not) take a year away from university.

3) to ask for permission

Can I borrow your book?

COULD is used:

1) to say that someone was(n't) allowed to do something in the past.

We could(n't) go to any part of the island we wanted.

2) to ask for permission.

Could I ask you a personal question? (Could is more polite than can)

MAY is used:

1) to say that someone was(n't) allowed to do something

They may (not) do exactly as they like.

2) to ask for permission

May I make a suggestion? (May is more formal than can and could)

BE ALLOWED TO instead of CAN, COULD, MAY

We use am/is/are allowed to to talk about things that are already permitted or not permitted (when there is a law or a rule).

You are allowed to get married in Britain when you are 16. (That's the law.)

The children were allowed to go to bed late. (Their parents have decided this.)

We use was /were allowed to to say that someone had (didn't have) permission to do something in a particular past situation.

He was(n't) allowed to borrow his father's car last weekend.

We use will be allowed to to say that someone will (not) have permission to do something in the future.

When Mr. Wilt asks to see a solicitor, he will (not) be allowed to see one.

We use be allowed for Present/Past Perfect.

He has just been allowed to go home after three hours at the police station.

Exercise 5. Give permission. Rewrite the sentences starting with the given words.

Example: You're allowed to do whatever you like. => You can do whatever you like.

1. It's all right to have visitors after four o'clock. You can .

2. You can all go home as soon as you've finished work. You may .

3. You are allowed to choose your major. You can .

4. You may park in this street. You are allowed to .

5. You are allowed to stay out till midnight. You can .

Exercise 6. Rewrite the following sentences asking for permission. Use can.

Example: Is it all right if I go to a disco? => Can I go to a disco?

1. Is it OK if I borrow your bike for half an hour?

2. Do you mind if I close the window just a little?

3. Is it all right if I get in touch with you some time later?

4. Do you mind if I come in?

5. Do you mind if I have a look at your magazine?

Make the requests more formal. Change can to may.

Now make them more polite. Change can to could.

Exercise 7. Complete the sentences with the correct form of be allowed to.

Example: In Britain you are not allowed to leave school or get married until you are at least sixteen years old.

1. In a week or two John visit his granny in the hospital.

2. Don borrows his parents’ car whenever he wants it.

3. In Britain you drive a taxi until you are twenty-one.

4. I never stay up late when I was very young.

5. My younger sister go to late-night discos. She's too young.

6. In London parks people walk not only along the paths but also across the grass.

7. He only go to parties in the last few months.

Exercise 8. Choose the best answer A or B.

Example: You A be late for classes.

A) are not allowed to; B) can't.

1. Mary's children watch the film on TV last night.

A) could; B) were allowed to.

2. try this on?

A) Am I allowed to; B) Can I.

3. Until the 19th century, people travel freely between most countries without a passport.

A) may; B) could.

4. In Britain you drive a car until you are seventeen.

A) cannot; B) couldn't.

5. In Russia you vote at the age of eighteen.

A) aren't allowed to; B) are allowed to.

6. I'm afraid, they to attend the meeting next week.

A) may not; B) will not be allowed.