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Content tagged with "permission"

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Modals in the second conditional

ability
conditionals
modals
permission
possibility
request
BE TO
COULD
MIGHT
WOULD

Main clause

We can use modals other than would in the main clause of a sentence in the second conditional:

Modals to express permission / prohibition: CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, BE ALLOWED TO, MUSTN'T, BE TO

modals
permission
prohibition
BE ALLOWED TO
BE TO
CAN
CAN'T
COULD
MAY
MIGHT
MUSTN'T

Present and future

Can and may are used to give permission. May is more formal and less common in everyday contexts:

You can borrow my car if you want.
Children may use the pool with adult supervision.