Instead of using basic modal verbs like can, could, must & should to express permission, why not take your English vocabulary up a level with some of these more advanced words?
Allowed to
We use this in place of ‘can/could’ when expressing permission – but NOT possibility.
Structure: Subject + to be + allowed to + infinitive
E.g.
We are (not) allowed to sit at this table.
Are we allowed to sit at this table?
We were(n’t) allowed to sit at that table.
We will (not) be allowed to sit at that table.
Permitted to
In a more official/formal situation, we can use permitted to. This is usually used with laws/rules to express permission and prohibition.
Structure: it + be (not) permitted to + infinitive
E.g.
It is not permitted to bring liquids onto the aeroplane
It is permitted to photograph the paintings without flash
OR
Structure: noun + be (not) + permitted
E.g.
Barbecues are not permitted on the beach
Trucks are not permitted to drive through this area
OR
Structure: gerund verb + be (not) + permitted
E.g.
Bringing liquids onto the aeroplane is not permitted
Photographing the paintings with flash is permitted
Supposed to/Meant to
Instead of using ‘should’, we can say either of these phrases in order to express either obligation or permission.
Structure: be (not) supposed to/meant to + infinitive
E.g.
We’re not supposed to be out after 10pm!
She’s not meant to eat 24 hours before the surgery, but she’s hungry.
I’m supposed to start the meeting at 3pm, but I think we can start early.
No-one is meant to be in the office this weekend, why are you here?
Permission exercise
Quiz-summary
0 of 7 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Information
Rewrite these sentences to make them correct.
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 7 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
-
Nice work! Did you get the result you were expecting? If not, feel free to take the quiz a second time!
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- Answered
- Review
-
Question 1 of 7
1. Question
You aren’t allowed go to the concert tonight, it’s too late.
Correct
Good job!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
-
Question 2 of 7
2. Question
We supposed to be at home in an hour.
Correct
Good job!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
-
Question 3 of 7
3. Question
Is not permitted to smoke inside public buildings.
Correct
Good job!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
-
Question 4 of 7
4. Question
We are allowed to sit at this table?
Correct
Good job!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
-
Question 5 of 7
5. Question
No-one is allowed to entering this room today.
Correct
Good job!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
-
Question 6 of 7
6. Question
Leave the house after midnight is not permitted!
Correct
Good job!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
-
Question 7 of 7
7. Question
We are supposed walking the dog 3 times a day.
Correct
Good job!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!