Talking about permission, prohibitions and obligations

There are certain ways and verbs we use to state permission and prohibition in English. Obligations are strong and imply a degree of responsibility on the part of the person who has the obligation.

Give Permission or State Prohibitions using CAN

Use CAN to give permission or CAN’T state prohibitions.

CAN

You can smoke in the cafeteria (permission)

You can’t cross the street if the traffic light is red (prohibition)

You can read in the library but you can’t make any noise (permission and prohibition)

Give Permission or State Prohibitions using verb To Allow

Use the verb To Allow (To Allow = To Permit) in the Past Participle Form to talk about permission or prohibition

You are allowed to smoke. (Give Permission)

You are not allowed to smoke. (State Prohibition)

She is allowed to park here. (Give Permission)

She is not allowed to park here. (State Prohibition)

Smoking is allowed. (Give Permission)

Smoking is not allowed. (State Prohibition)

Talking out loud is allowed. (Give Permission)

Talking out loud is not allowed. (State Prohibition)

Obligations

To talk about obligations you use MUST or HAVE TO or HAVE GOT TO.  All these alternatives use the verb in the infinitive form.  Be careful when you refer to the obligations of a third person.

You must study hard

You have to study hard

You have got to study hard

We must work well

We have to work well

We have got to work well

She must be punctual

She has to be punctual

She has got to be punctual

He must arrive on time

He has to arrive on time

He has got to arrive on time

Writing Activity:

Write two or three paragraphs stating the Obligations, Permissions and Prohibitions that are present in your:

a) Institution

b) Home

Activity 11 - Intermediate II