72 Permission: getting the go-ahead

A Permitting and agreeing that something may happen: verbs

All these verbs are formal and many are typically found in newspapers.
verb meaning example
accede accept, but often associated with initial The factory owner acceded to the workers’
unwillingness demands.
acquiesce permit something to happen, but often The Foreign Minister acquiesced in the plan
/ˌækwiˈes/ associated with a degree of secrecy or to restrict imports from certain countries.
conspiracy
assent agree to something, often associated with The shareholders assented to the takeover.
plans, proposals, ideas, etc.
authorise give official permission Only authorised people are allowed entry.
condone approve or allow something which most The judge condoned the use of reasonable
people consider to be wrong force by police officers.
countenance consider giving assent or permission, No government would ever countenance
often used in negative contexts abolishing taxes altogether.
endorse give official approval to something The cabinet has endorsed a proposal to
change the way universities are funded.

B Permitting: phrasal expressions

The committee have been given carte blanche to investigate the problem and come up with a
solution. [/kɑ(r)t blɑntʃ/ complete freedom to do whatever they think necessary; formal]
The city has given the go-ahead for / given the green light to the new car park. [given permission for
the building to start; informal]

C Prohibiting and disapproving: verbs

verb meaning example
bar officially exclude, forbid someone access Three students were barred from using the
to something library because they had damaged books.
clamp down use your full power to prevent or limit The government has decided to clamp down
something on illegal immigration.
outlaw make something illegal Parliament has passed a bill outlawing
smoking while driving.
veto /ˈviːtəʊ/ use your official power to forbid The President has vetoed the plan to open
membership of the club to the public.

Common mistakes
Regardless is not an adjective but an adverb. It means in spite of something. It can be used on its
own: Her parents said she couldn’t go to the party but she went to it regardless.
Or it can be followed by a phrase with of: They built the extension to their house regardless of the fact
that they had not received formal planning permission.

150 English Vocabulary in Use Advanced

 Exercises
72.1 Fill the gaps with a suitable verb which expresses the meaning in brackets. There may be
more than one possible answer.
1 The committee were in favour of the proposal, but the President it. (used his/her
official power to forbid it)
2 I would never the use of capital punishment, no matter how serious the crime.
(approve or refuse to condemn)
3 The newspaper revealed that the Prime Minister had in the secret decision to sell
arms to the dictator. (agreed to it, without openly admitting it)
4 The new bill going through Parliament will the use of unlicensed drugs by doctors.
(make illegal)
5 The manager has the wearing of casual clothes to work on Friday. (used their official
power to permit)
6 She has been from lectures because she disrupted one last term. (forbidden to
enter/attend)
7 The President finally had to to demands for his resignation. (agree after being
initially unwilling)
8 The police have announced that they are to begin to on motorists who exceed the
speed limit. (take serious action to reduce the number of)
72.2 Find and correct the preposition errors in these sentences.
1 Alex parked his car outside the shop regardless to the No Parking sign.
2 The Minister said he would never accede for the union’s demands.
3 It’s time the police clamped down to cyclists going through red lights.
4 The President has assented at the latest world environment plan.
5 The Minister is likely to acquiesce with the proposal.
6 The college principal has given the green light on the students’ proposal for an end-of-term
festival.
7 The company has been given the go-ahead at a new factory in the city.
8 The inspector had carte blanche for investigate every aspect of the business.
72.3 Look at these headlines containing further words and expressions connected with
permission and prohibition. Match them with the news clips. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1
GOVERNMENT TO LIFT EMBARGO ON COMPUTER IMPORTS
2 Railway franchise extended for five years

3 POLICE TO ADOPT ZERO-TOLERANCE OF HOOLIGANISM

4
NEW TRADE SANCTIONS ANNOUNCED
a b c d
The company will be The hope is that firms … at present, chips … anyone displaying
allowed to run services will benefit from less and processors must threatening behaviour
for the additional period, severe competition will be liable to
be home-produced or
provided all conditions … in domestic markets immediate arrest …
else …
if imports are subject
to …

English Vocabulary in Use Advanced 151