Today’s mini-lesson from the Team at Scrambled Eggs English School in Milan is about how to talk about laws.
The USA is a vast and diverse country. Each state in fact has their very own local laws. It’s hardly surprisingly then that over the years strange laws have been passed. We’ve put together a list of the top 5 weirdest laws that still exist in the USA today.
Number 1: In Sant Antonio, Texas, flirting is against the law!
Number 2: If you are found stealing soap in Arizona, you must wash yourself until the bar of soap has been completely used up!
Number 3: If you have a moustache in Eureka, Nevada, you are not allowed to kiss a woman!
Number 4: In Indiana, it is illegal to attend a public event or even use public transport within 4 hours of eating onions or garlic.
Number 5: In Gainesville, Georgia (USA), you are not allowed to eat fried chicken in any way other than by hand.
These laws are definitely quite interesting and funny! But, what language can we used when we talk about the law?
When describing what we can and can’t do, we can use the verbs let and allow. What’s the difference? Well, allow is more formal than let, but aside from that they both have a similar meaning to give permission to.
Importantly, however, they are structured differently:

Check out our exercise below to practice using let and allow:
Top 5 Weirdest Laws: US Edition
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Complete the sentences using either let or allow.
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Question 1 of 6
1. Question
1 pointsIn Milan, Italy it’s illegal to frown in public unless you are at a funeral or visiting someone at hospital.
- (You are not allowed to, You aren't allowed to) frown in public in Milan, Italy unless you are at a funeral or visiting someone at hospital.
Correct
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Question 2 of 6
2. Question
1 pointsIn Mexico it’s illegal for cyclists to lift their feet off the pedals while cycling.
- The law in Mexico (does not let, doesn't let) cyclists take their feet off the pedals while cycling.
Correct
Incorrect
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Question 3 of 6
3. Question
1 pointsIn Russia it’s illegal to drive a dirty car.
- The law in Russia (does not let, doesn't let) its citizens drive a dirty car.
Correct
Incorrect
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Question 4 of 6
4. Question
1 pointsIn Samoa it’s illegal to forget your wife’s birthday.
- (You are not allowed to, You aren't allowed to) forget your wife’s birthday in Samoa.
Correct
Incorrect
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Question 5 of 6
5. Question
1 pointsIn Singapore it’s illegal to chew gum.
- The law in Singapore (does not let, doesn't let) people chew gum.
Correct
Incorrect
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Question 6 of 6
6. Question
1 pointsIn Japan it’s illegal to be overweight.
- (You are not allowed to, You aren't allowed to) be overweight in Japan.
Correct
Incorrect
How did you do? If you found the exercise difficult, pop by our school. We have a great team of native English teachers that are always happy to help.
Would you like to study more English? Click here to read about the top 5 weirdest laws from the UK!