Modals - Permission

Modals - Permission
You can use ‘can’ to say that someone is
allowed to do something. You use ‘cannot’ to
say that they are not allowed to do it.

Students can take a year away from

university.
Children cannot bathe except in the presence
of two lifesavers.
 Modals - Permission
You can use ‘could’ to say that someone was
allowed to do something in the past. You use
‘could not’ or ‘couldn’t’ to say that they were
not allowed to do it.

We could go to any part of the island we

wanted.
We couldn’ t go into the library after 5 pm.
 Modals - Permission
You also use ‘be allowed to’ when you are
talking about permission, but not if you are
asking for it or giving it.

When Mr Wilt asks for a solicitor he will be

allowed to see one.
You’ re not allowed to use calculators during
the exam.
 Modals - Permission
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.

The retailer may not sell the book below the
publisher’ s price.
 Modals - Permission
When you want to give someone permission
to do something, you use ‘can’.

You can borrow that pen if you want to.

You can go off duty now.
She can go with you.
 Modals - Permission
‘May’ is also used to give permission, but this
is more formal.

You may speak.

You may leave as soon as you are finished.
 Modals - Permission
When you want to refuse someone
permission to do something, you use ‘cannot’,
‘can’t’, ‘will not’, ‘won’t’, ‘shall not’, or ‘shan’t’.

‘ Can I have some sweets?’ - ‘ No, you

can’ t!’
‘ I’ ll go upstairs’ - ‘ You will not!’
You shan’ t leave without my permission.
 Modals - Permission
When you are asking for permission to do
something, you use ‘can’ or ‘could’.
If you ask in a very direct and simple way,
you use ‘can’.

Can I ask a question?

Can we have something to wipe or hands on,
please?
 Modals - Permission
‘Could’ is more polite than ‘can’.

Could I just interrupt a minute?

Could we put this fire on?
 Modals - Permission
‘May’ is also used to ask permission, but this
is more formal.

May I have a cigarette?

 Modals - Permission
‘Might’ is rather old-fashioned and is not often
used in modern English in this way.

Might I inquire if you are the owner?

 Modals - Permission
You have to use ‘be allowed to’ instead of a
modal if you are using another modal, or if
you want to use an ‘-ing’ form, a past
participle or a ‘to’- infinitive.

Teachers will be allowed to decide for

themselves.
I am strongly in favor of people being allowed
to put on plays.
 Modals - Permission
They have not been allowed to come.
We are going to be allowed to travel on the
trains.
 Questions?
For more slide presentations visit: