1. ‘Obligation’ structures
You must be home by 9 o’clock. You mustn’t stay out to late.
We’ve got to stay in our seats. We can’t /aren’t allowed to walk about.

2. ‘Permission’ structures
You can do the washing up later.
You needn’t/don’t need to do the washing up now.
We can pay by cheque. We don’t have to pay in cash.

3. Make and let
At some schools, they make you wear a uniform.
He doesn’t make his students do enough work.
They let their car on the table.
Her parents don’t let her eat sweets.

4. Habitual obligation and permission in the past
They made us do the washing up every morning.
I couldn’t have any guests in my room.
He didn’t have to get up early on Saturdays.
They let us smoke during the examination.

5. Freedom of choice
You can say whatever you like.
You can go anywhere you like.
I don’t mind who you invited to dinner.
You can stay here as long as you can.

Example:

1. Answer the following questions as given in the example:
Example:
A: Do I have to sit here?
B: No, you can sit wherever you like.
C: I don’t mind where you sit.

(a) What time should I come?
(b) When can I visit you?
(c) Do I have to drink coke?
(d) Should I sleep in this room?
(e) When do I have to get up?

Answers:

(a) A: What time should I come?
B: You can come whenever you like.
C: I don’t mind when you come.
(b) A: When can I visit you?
B:You can visit me whenever you like.
C: I don’t mind when you visit me.
(c) A: Do I have a drink coke?
B: No, you can drink whatever you like.
C: I don’t mind what you drink.
(d) A: Should I sleep in this room?
B:No, you can sleep whenever you like.
C: I don’t mind where you sleep.
(e) A: When do I have to get up?
B: You can get up whenever you like.
C: I don’t mind when you get up.

Exercise:

1. Answer the following questions as given in the example:
Example:
A: Do I have to eat meat?
B: No, you can eat wherever you like.
C: I don’t mind what you eat.

(a) Do I have to drink milk?
(b) Where can I visit you?
(c) What time should I go out?
(d) Should I wear a uniform?
(e) When do I have to meet you?