Uses of modals (etc.) to express permission and prohibition/ban

11.3 A Asking for permission with 'can', 'could', 'may' and 'might' [> LEG 11.20-22]

We use can, could, may and might to ask for permission, depending on the situation.

1 Can is the commonest and most informal: Can I borrow your umbrella (please)?

2 Could 'is more polite than can: Could I borrow your umbrella (please)?

3 May is more 'respectful' than can and could: May I borrow your umbrella (please)?

4 Might is the most polite but the least common: Might I borrow your umbrella (please)?

5 We can add possibly and use expressions like Do you think and I wonder if to make requests even more polite: Can/Could/ May/Might I possibly borrow your umbrella? Do you think I could/Do you think I might (possibly) borrow your umbrella? I wonder if I could/I wonder if I might (possibly) borrow your umbrella?

Write: Make suitable requests for permission in these situations.

1 You are visiting a close friend and you want to make yourself some coffee. Can I make myself some coffee (please)? 2 You are visiting an acquaintance and want to use the lavatory… 3 You are at a party given by people you hardly know. You want to see their garden…4 You are visiting people you know reasonably well. You want to make a phone call… 5 You are visiting a close friend and want to borrow his new car…

11.3B Giving and refusing permission/Expressing prohibition [>LEG 11.19,11.23]

1 We personally give or refuse permission in everyday situations in the following ways: You can (not)/may (not) watch TV for as long as you like. (Not *could* (Not *might*)

2 We refer to 'some other authority' that gives/refuses permission like this [> 11.10A, 16.5A5]: You can/cannot or You're allowed to/not allowed to smoke here. You can/cannot or You're permitted to/not permitted to smoke here. You mustn't or You're forbidden to smoke here.

Write: Rephrase these notices to give or refuse permission. Begin each sentence with You...

1 Thank you for not smoking You may not smoke. 2 No camping or picnicking … 3 Fishing strictly forbidden … 4 Campers welcome …

5 Private - Keep Out… 6 Do not lean out of the window... 7 Leave your litter here … 8 No stopping …

11.3C Permission/prohibition in tenses other than present and future [>LEG 11.24, 11.4, 11.6.1]

May and must are not 'complete verbs', so we use be allowed to to make up their 'missing parts' [> 11.1B]: The children were allowed to watch TV last night. (Not 'could* > 11.2A)

Write: Supply the correct tense form of be allowed to.

1 The children were allowed to stay home from school yesterday because of the weather. 2 I … never… stay up late when I was very young. 3 She … only … go to parties in the last few months. 4 He … just …go home after three hours at the police station. 5 Since he was admitted to hospital, we (not) … visit him. 6 His doctor (not) … him …take any exercise in the year before he died.

 

11.3D 'Can' (= ability) and 'can/could' (= have permission, be free to) [>LEG 11.10, 11.16, 11.26]

We use can / could in the sense of 'am/is/are free to' to refer to the future: Mr Jones can/could see you tomorrow, if you are free. Or Mr Jones is able to see you. But we must use will be able to (Not *can/ could*) to describe future ability [> 11.2C]: Baby will be able to stand up in two weeks' time. (Not *can/could*)

Write: Replace will be able to with can where possible in the sentences below.

1 She'll be able to drive by the end of next week… 2 We'll be able to go to the seaside tomorrow. We can go to the seaside tomorrow.

3 She'll be able to drive you home tomorrow 4 I'll be able to play chess soon 5 I'll be able to play a game of chess with you tomorrow 6 You will be able to use my computer during the weekend 7 You will be able to operate this computer after a bit of practice

E Write: Supply suitable forms which express permission, prohibition or ability. WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE?

Mrs Wilkins is on a strict diet. '1 Am I allowed to eat toast and butter for breakfast?' she asked her doctor. 'I'm afraid not, Mrs Wilkins. You 2… only have half a grapefruit and a glass of water. You certainly3… eat any kind of fat and you 4… eat biscuits or sweets. But don't worry, you 5… eat what you like after two months of this diet.' Mrs Wilkins was very determined and took a lot of exercise as well. After two months' diet and exercise she said to her husband, 'I still6… touch my toes as I 7… before we married.' 'Don't worry, my love,' he said kindly. 'Perhaps your fingernails were longer in those days!'