Review Unit 8

make/ let/ be allowed to
1. We use make (someone do) to talk about an obligation.
Our teacher makes us do a lot of homework. (=We cannot choose, it's an obligation that our teacher gives us.)
My older brother made me lend him some money. (= I could not choose, my brother forced me.)
2. We use let (someone do) to talk about some permission.
Our teacher lets us leave early on Fridays. (The teacher gives us permission to leave early.)
My father let me use the car yesterday. (= My father gave me permission to use the car.)
3. We use be allowed to (do something) to say that someone has (or has not) got permission.
At our school, we're allowed to wear jeans if we want to.
When we were young, we weren't allowed to play outside in the street.
You're not allowed to park here.

Modals of obligation, prohibition and permission review
We can also use verbs, including modal verbs, to talk about permission and obligation.
1. have to/ don't have to is used to talk about obligation/ no obligation.
I have to get up at six o'clock every day. (This is an obligation for me.)
We don't have to wear school uniform. (= Wearing school uniform is not an obligation for us.)
My sister had to go to work last Sunday. (= This was an obligation for my sister.)
We didn't have to pay for the meal. (= It was not necessary to pay.)

2. can/ can't is used to talk about permission.
You can't watch TV if you want to. (= I give you permission to watch TV.)
We can't go in because we're not 18. (We don't have permission to go in.)

3. We use mustn't to prohibit someone from doing something, or to say that something is very important.
You mustn't forget to take your medicine. (= It is very important not to forget.)
We mustn't be late! (= It is very important for us not to be late.)
You mustn't talk to me like that! (= I am telling you that I don't allow this.)