Modals of prohibition and permission are used to ask for or give permission and to indicate that something is not allowed. Study the article below, there are exercises at the bottom of the page.
If you’re looking for something more simple, try these: Must and Mustn’t or Can and Can’t. Below you find an explanation of each modal, followed by a table summarizing their uses.
Modals of Permission
- Can
- Used informally to ask for or give permission.
- Example: Can I leave early today? / You can borrow my book.
- Could
- More polite and formal than “can.” Often used to ask for permission.
- Example: Could I go to the bathroom? / You could ask for help if you need it.
- May
- Used in formal situations to ask for or give permission.
- Example: May I use your phone? / You may leave once the bell rings.
- Might
- Less common but can be used to ask for permission in a very polite or hesitant way.
- Example: Might I ask for your assistance?
- Be allowed to
- Indicates permission, usually used in passive forms. It can be formal or informal.
- Example: You are allowed to bring a small suitcase.
Modals of Prohibition
- Mustn’t
- Strong prohibition. It means something is absolutely not allowed.
- Example: You mustn’t smoke in this area.
- May not
- Used to indicate prohibition, often in formal contexts.
- Example: You may not park here.
- Can’t
- Informal prohibition. Often used in casual speech.
- Example: You can’t park here.
- Shall not
- Used formally, often for a polite prohibition (Except if you’re Gandalf blocking a Balrog). It’s more common in British English.
- Example: We shall not make noise during story time.
- Not allowed to
- Indicates prohibition, usually used in passive forms. Can be formal or informal.
- Example: Students are not allowed to use their phones during class.
Table – Modals of Prohibition and Permission
| Modal | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Can / Can’t | Informal permission or prohibition | Can I go to the store? |
| Could | Polite permission | Could I leave early today? |
| May / May not | Formal permission or prohibition | May I sit here? |
| Might | Very polite, hesitant permission | Might I have a moment of your time? |
| Shall not (shan’t) | Very formal prohibition, not used in everyday English | Contractors shall not disclose confidential information. |
| Mustn’t | Strong prohibition | You mustn’t touch that! |
| (Not) be allowed to | Permission or Prohibition (passive) | You are not allowed to park here. |
Many of these verbs express other modalities too, to learn more, please check: Modals of Ability and Modals of Deduction and Probability.
Modals of Prohibition and Permission Exercises
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