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Modal Verbs for Prohibition

Modal verbs are used for prohibition. These situations are the opposite of giving
permission. This modal verbs for prohibition lesson shows you how to use may and can to
prohibit someone or create rules. Links to the exercises are at the bottom of the page.

The modal verbs used are May and Can. They are used as negatives:

Can’t
Must not
May not

Can’t
Can’t is the most common way to prohibit something in English. It is not as formal as must
not or may not, but it is the most common. Here are some examples:

You can’t drive here.

You can’t wear a hat in class.
You can’t smoke in the of ce.

Can’t is normally used to show inability, but in these examples it shows prohibition. It is like
you are saying you do not have the ability because of the rules.

You could also ask questions about the rules:

Can I smoke in here?

Can I park my car here?

Now, let’s look at two more formal ways to prohibit something.

May Not
May not is the formal way to prohibit something. Here are some examples:

You may not smoke in this house.

You may not wear shoes in the of ce.
You may not eat in the conference room.

Like can, you could ask questions about the rules with may:

May I smoke here?

May I eat in this room?

Because may is the most formal, you will often see it in writing. Finally, let’s look at the
strongest way to prohibit something.

Must Not
This is the third way you can prohibit an action or make a rule against something. Here are
some examples:

You must not use a cell phone.

You must not write with pencil.
You must not play music.

Unlike the rst two examples, you cant ask questions about rules with must.

These are the two modal verbs you can use for prohibition. Do you think you are ready to
try some of the exercises?

Modal Verbs for Prohibition Exercises

Modal Verbs for Prohibition Test
Modal Verbs of Permission Test 2

LOOKING FOR MORE MODAL VERB LESSONS AND TESTS?

Modal Verbs
Modal Verbs Exercises
Modal Verbs Exercise 2 – English Grammar Exercises
Ability
Modal Verbs of Ability Exercise
Modal Verbs of Ability Exercise 2
Advice
Modal Verbs for Advice Exercise
Modal Verbs for Advice Exercise 2
Obligation
Modal Verbs of Obligation Exercise
Modal Verbs for Obligation Exercise 2
Offers
Modal Verbs for Offers Exercise
Modal Verbs for Offers Exercise 2
Permission
Modal Verbs for Permission Exercise
Modal Verbs for Permission Exercise 2
Possibility
Modal Verbs for Possibility Exercise
Modal Verbs for Possibility Exercise 2
Prohibition
Modal Verbs for Prohibition Exercise
Modal Verbs for Prohibition Exercise 2
Requests
Modal Verbs for Requests Exercise
Modal Verbs for Requests Exercise 2

MORE GRAMMAR LESSONS AND TESTS

Improve your English grammar with more lessons and exercises. Click on the links below to
learn and practice.
Adjectives
Articles
Conditionals
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Gerunds and In nitives
Modal Verbs
Passive Voice
Prepositions
Pronouns
Questions
Rather and Prefer
Subject Verb Agreement
Used To
Verb Tenses

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