LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

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

11.3C

Study:

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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 onildren were allowed to watch TV last night. (Not *could* > 11,2A)

Write:

11.3D

Study:

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Supply the correct tense form of be allowed to.

1 The children 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.

'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

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

11.3E Context

Write: Supply suitable forms which express permission, prohibition or ability.

WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE?^ j to

Mrs Wilkins is on a strict diet. '^1 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 certainly^3 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 still^6 touch my toes as 17
before we married.' 'Don't worry, my love,' he said kindly. 'Perhaps your fingernails
were longer in those days!'
Perhaps your fingernails were longer...