The third function for modals and modal-like expressions in this unit is expressing permission and requests.
Permission
In previous levels, you've seen the use of can and could for expressing permission. However, there are other expressions that can be used for this function.
Be able to / Be allowed to / Be permitted to
As you learned in Grammar 5-2, let is used to express allowing others to do something.
- The teacher let her students join the march for Climate Change last Friday.
Be able to, be allowed to, and be permitted to are used to express the same idea more formally.
Asking
- Will you be able to come on the trip with us? *
- Am I allowed to borrow this pencil?
- Is smoking permitted here?
Giving or Denying
- Good news! You’ll be able to get your driver’s license soon! *
- You aren’t allowed to put your feet on the table.
- Bob isn’t permitted to fly until the doctor gives his approval.
*For permission, be able to is only used in the future
Making Requests
Will is often used when making requests.
- Will you open the door for me?
- Will you turn off the TV?
Would can also be used but is more formal.
- Would you open the door for me?
- Would you turn off the TV?
We can add the word please to either will and would to make the request more polite.
- Would you open the door for me, please?
- Will you please turn off the TV?
Indirect Requests Using ‘Would like’
You can use would like to indirectly request that someone does something using the following structure.
| would like | object | infinitive verb |
- I would like you to get into groups and look at some case studies.
- I would like you to come to the party if you’re free.
- I’d like the team to organize the meeting for next Monday evening.
Exercise
Speaking Practice
Decide who will be student one and student two. Make and respond to questions that ask for permission or request something from your partner using the given prompts. Make sure you use structures learned in this lesson.
- ...drive your family’s car?
- ...give you some of the answers to the homework tonight?
- ...ask your friend to give me his/her phone number?
- ...go jogging with me early in the morning?
- ...tell the person sitting next to you to go shopping with me tomorrow?
- ...eat chips in your car?
- ...stay at your place for a month?
- ...buy me some food after class?
- ...give me your credit card for a day?
- ...tell your friend to make dinner for me this week?