В пособии рассматриваются основные моменты английской грамматики: части речи имя существительное, имя прилагательное и наречие; видо-временные формы глагола; модальные глаголы; неличные формы глагола

C. Talking about Permission
When we talk about permission that has already been given by someone else,
we use can, could and be allowed to.
1. We use ‘can’ to talk about the present or the future, and we use ‘could’ for
the past:
Present: Each passenger can take one bag onto the plane.
Future: I can’t have another day off work tomorrow.
Past: Years ago you could park your car anywhere.
We can also use ‘be allowed to’:
Present: Passengers are allowed to take one bag onto the plane.
Future: Will I be allowed to record the interview on tape?
Past: We weren’t allowed to feed the animals at the zoo yesterday.

2. In the past, either ‘could’ or ‘was/were allowed to’ can be used to say

that one was allowed to do something at any time (‘general permission’).
But we don’t use ‘could’ to talk about permission for one particular action
in the past.
I was allowed to see her yesterday evening.
I was allowed to leave work early yesterday.
Not: I could leave work early yesterday.
(This is like the difference between ‘could’ and ‘was able to’.
3. You use ‘be allowed to’ when you are talking about permission, but not
when you are asking for it or giving it. Compare questions with ‘may’ and
‘be allowed to’:
May I take a photo of you?
(Asking for permission: ‘Will you allow it?’)
Are we allowed to take photos?
(Asking about permission: ‘What is the rule?’)
4.‘May’ is usually used in more formal situations to say that someone is
allowed to do something, and ‘may not’ is used to say that they are not
allowed to do it.
If convicted, an accused person may appeal.
The retailer may not sell that book below the publisher’s price.
‘Might’ can be used after a past verb in ‘reported speech’.
Mary said that I might borrow her car.

5. You have to use ‘be allowed to’ instead of a modal if you are using an

other modal, or if you want to use an ‘-ing’ form, a past participle, or a to-
infinitive.
Teachers will be allowed to decide for themselves.
I’m strongly in favour of people being allowed to put on plays.
They have not been allowed to come.
We were going to be allowed to travel on the trains.