Permission (дозвіл): can, could, may, be allowed to

1 a) Can and could are used to ask for permission in the present. May is also used but it’s quite formal: Could / Can I call you back? May I use your phone, please?

b) When talking about whether something is (isn’t) permitted we use can / can't and be (not) allowed to: Passengers arenotallowedto smoke during take-off. You can leave your letter at the reception.

2 To talk about permission in the past we use could / couldn't and was / were not allowed to.

We werenotallowedto ask any questions.

3 When talking about permission with future and perfect forms be allowed to is used:

He will notbeallowedto invest in this business.

Ex.1. Complete these sentences using the correct form of can, could, may, be able to, be allowed to:

1 When I pass my driving test, I ________ hire a car. 2 When he first came to London, he _______ read English but he (negative) ________ speak. 3 When we were in the old office, we _________ access all the files. 4 This sweater was priced at $ 50, but I __________ get a discount because of this little mark on the sleeve. 5 Students ________ bring notes into the exam tomorrow. 6 My sister never _________ to travel alone. 7 _______ I send him a message? He is at the meeting at the moment. 8 _______ you phone the boss today? 9 He ________ solve this problem yet. 10 " May I borrow your car? – No, you ________." 11 Who ________ appoint the receivers to find someone to rescue the company? 12 ________ he pay off the debts of the company? 13 I've been looking for your papers but I ________ find them yet. 14 If he doesn't tell me

what his problem is, I ______ (negative) help him. 15 She _______ to raise money for her failing company.

Ex.2. Translate into English:

1 Я б з задоволенням прийняв ваше запрошення, але я не можу відмінити свою зустріч. 2 Якщо він щось вирішив, то ніхто не може на нього вплинути. 3 Я дуже ціную вашу допомогу. Я знав, що я можу довіряти вам. 4 Чи можу я сказати йому всю правду? Я впевнений, що він нічого не знає про важкий фінансовий стан компанії. 5 Коли я там працював, тільки головний менеджер міг підписувати такі документи. 6 Працівникам нашої компанії не дозволяється палити в офісах. 7 Тільки суд може призначити ліквідаторів неплатоспроможної компанії. 8 Ця компанія на межі банкрутства; їй не дозволяється працювати з клієнтами. 9 Ви можете залишити всю інформацію у секретаря. 10 Їм не дозволили відстрочити платежі. 11 Якщо ви зможете врятувати цю компанію, ви отримаєте подяку від президента. 12 Якщо вони не зможуть розрахуватися з боргами протягом місяця, їх оголосять банкрутами.

Ex.3. Complete these sentences using could (not), was (not) / were (not) able to:

1 My eyes hurt and I ………………… read very fast. 2 When Mary was young, she was a very good secretary. She ………………. type 70 words per minute. 3 The file was damaged but he ……………………… save a copy. 4 I didn’t have any paper left to print it out, but I ……………………. get some in the next office room. 5 It was difficult to find her but I …………………………… do it. 6 Karen looked through the document carefully once more and this time she ………….…… see a mistake. 7 The presentation failed but fortunately we …………………. rescue the project.

Ex.4. Complete these sentences using can / can’t / could / couldn’t + the verb from the list:

1 I’m sorry, but we ……………….……. you the papers today. 2 I ……….…….…….. a call last night because my mobile was out of order. 3 She’ll get the job because she …………………….. four languages. 4 I was tired but I ……………………….. 5 I like this hotel room. You …………………. the mountains from the window. 6 In our company you ………………………. a two-week holiday at Christmas.