Lead-In
- “May I come in?”
- “Were we really allowed to write in pencil during the test?!”
- “May I speak to you, please?”
- “Was your friend allowed to stay for the night?”
- “May I retake the test next week?”
Compare your answers with your partner.
May / Be allowed to
May / Be allowed to
May and be allowed to are used to ask for, give and refuse permission[explanation: permission [pəˈmɪʃ(ə)n] – luba].
May only has the Present Simple form. Be allowed to has all the tense forms.
We also use can and could to ask for permission. Could is more polite[explanation: polite [pəˈlaɪt] – viisakas] than can, while may is more polite than could. |  |
 | We can use both may and can to give permission. |
Present Simple | |||
Statements | |||
You may go to the disco. Jane may go with you. | may + base form of the main verb | You are allowed to go to the disco. Jane is allowed to go with you. | am/is/are + allowed to + base form of the main verb |
Negative sentences | |||
I may not use my mum’s phone. | may + not + base form of the main verb | I am not allowed to use my mum’s phone. | am/is/are + not + allowed to + base form of the main verb |
Questions | |||
May I stay a bit later? | (question word) + may + subject + base form of the main verb | Am I allowed to stay a bit later? | (question word) + am/is/are + subject + allowed to + base form of the main verb |
Past Simple | |
Statements | |
I was allowed to buy new shoes. | was/were + allowed to + base form of the main verb |
Negative sentences | |
You weren’t allowed to buy new jeans. | was/were + not + allowed to + base form of the main verb |
Questions | |
Was he allowed to buy a new T-shirt? | (question word) + was/were + subject + allowed to + base form of the main verb |
Be allowed to in other tenses:
Has Jackson been allowed to go to the disco lately?
They hadn’t been allowed to stay late.
I will be allowed to take part in a dance competition next year.
Let’s Practise!
- We can’t park our car in front of this building.
- You may play video games if you finish your homework early.
- They have to attend the meeting at 2 p.m., so they won’t join us for lunch.
- The invitation said that I was allowed to bring one friend with me.
- If you have time, you may join us at the skate park tomorrow afternoon.
- You must try the new bubble tea place; it’s fantastic!
- Are we allowed to play football here?
- You can go to the amusement park on Sunday, I don’t mind that at all.
- At what age are you drive in the US?
- What is the curfew[annotation: curfew [ˈkɜːfjuː] – liikumiskeeld] time for children under 16 in Estonia when they stay out on their own any more?
- How many times in a row[annotation: in a row [ɪn ə rəʊ] – järjest] you serve as the president of Estonia?
- What are the members of the British royal family not do?
- What do you have to do to be drive?
- Why you ride a bike without a helmet at a young age?
- What kind of work children in Estonia do when they’re already 13 years old?
Pairwork 1
In pairs, answer the questions from Exercise 2. Use the Internet to help you.
Example: You may go to the swimming pool. → You are allowed to go to the swimming pool.
- If you go on a hike with us, I’ll be very happy.
- Sorry, but he attend the concert alone.
- I’m afraid we bring our pets to school.
- use your laptop to finish the project?
- have some of your popcorn during the movie?
Pay attention to the word order in questions! | |
Example:
“You can’t use my credit card.” MAY
“You may not use my credit card.”
- “You can hang out with your friends if you finish your chores today.” ALLOWED
“You if you finish your chores today.” - “Can we listen to the music while cleaning our rooms?” MAY
“ while cleaning our rooms?” - “Am I allowed to borrow your headphones for a minute?” COULD
“ your headphones for a minute?” - “She may not have a party at our house while we’re away.” TO
“She have a party at our house while we’re away.”
Time to Talk
Pairwork 2
What is (not) allowed at school? Tell your partner in English using may. Then your partner says the same sentence using be allowed to. Switch roles.
Pupils may spend their breaks indoors.
Pupils are allowed to spend their breaks indoors.
We may not drink energy drinks during lessons.
We aren’t allowed to drink energy drinks during lessons.
Pairwork 3
What were you allowed to do in primary school? Tell your partner an example in English using the ideas from Pairwork 2. Then your partner says your sentence in the negative form. Switch roles.
We were allowed to talk in English during lessons.
We were not allowed to talk in English during lessons.
- I can .
- I could not .
- I may .
- I am allowed to .
- I am not allowed to .
Summary
Situation 1:
Situation 2:
Situation 3:
Situation 4:
Situation 5:
Situation 6:
Situation 7:
- May and must only have the Present Simple form.
- Can is used to express obligation.
- Be able to and be allowed to have all the tense forms.
- May, can and could are used to ask for permission.
- Have to refers to a person’s ability.
- Can is more formal and polite than may.
- Be able to is more formal than can.
Pairwork 4
In turns, ask and answer the following questions.
- How often do you have to clean your room?
- Are you allowed to watch TV during breakfast?
- Are you able to fix a bike?
- How late are you allowed to stay up on weekdays?
- Were you able to say any words in English before you started studying it?
- How often are you allowed to eat fast food?
- What chores do you have to do at home?
