Tag: permission

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Structure: ‘Modals 6’

Modals and permission

Looking at our diagram we can see that to ask for permission in the present or future we have four options; can, could, may or might. Could is a little more polite than can, and may or might are very formal, so choose the correct model for your situation.

Asking for permission.
Asking for permission.

Present
Can I open this window shade?
Could I open this window shade?
May I open this window shade?
Might I open this window shade?

Future
Can I use the jumpseat on the next flight?
Could I use the jumpseat on the next flight?
May I use the jumpseat on the next flight?
Might I use the jumpseat on the next flight?

To refer to permission in the past use ‘allow sb to’ (which is not a modal verb).

eg The company allowed me to continue flying 48 hours after the incident.

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Structure: ‘Modals 4’

Modals related to ability, permission, prohibition and obligation

We talked previously about how our modal verbs related to probability. Next we look at specific meanings to each of our modal verbs. Follow the examples and write some of your own to practice.

Ability

Ability
– Can you fly a multiengine plane?
– I could fly a glider when I was 17.

Permission

Permission
– Can we use runway 11 to land?
– The controller said that they could begin their startup.
– You may use the lavatory when the seatbelt sign is switched off.
– Might I switch seats? This one doesn’t recline.

Prohibition

Prohibition
– You can’t sit in the emergency exit seat with a baby.
– They told us that we couldn’t board the plane first.
– You may not bring liquids of more than 100ml on the flight.
– You shouldn’t drink a lot of alcohol on a flight.
– You mustn’t smoke on a flight.

Obligation

Obligation
– He should review the weather charts before the flight.
– Passengers must sit in their assigned seats.

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Structure: ‘can & could 3’

Can & could for permission and requests

In this post we continue to talk about can and could. This time, we will talk about how can and could are used to ask for permission and to make requests. Have a look at the digram for more information.

Can & could for permission and requests

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