E05
extended
Speaker stance
Modality
Permission Aura
Is it allowed?
intermediate
Permission modal
Deontic modality
Betekenis
A modal layer expressing permission, prohibition, allowance, entitlement, or social/legal approval.
Zo herken je het
Ask whether someone is allowed or not allowed to do something.
Voorbeelden
Woorden
may|allowed|can|let
Zinnen
may enter|allowed to leave|let me know
Voorbeeldzin
You may use my phone.
Visual guide
Basic shape
Permission gate:
[person] → | gate | → [event]
open = may/can
shut = not allowed
You may use my phone.
Compare shape
Permission vs ability: can enter = allowed? can enter = able? Some languages share CAN others separate: allowed / able Ask: is it permitted?
Taaloverzicht
In je moedertaal
Nederlands
Aanwezigheid
strong
Belang
Permission is mainly mogen, while kunnen can form polite practical requests.
Mag ik hier zitten?
May I here sit?
In de taal die je leert
Engels
Aanwezigheid
strong
Moeilijkheidsgraad
English expresses permission with may, can, be allowed to, and let constructions, with register differences.
You may leave now.
may = permission
Veelvoorkomend struikelpunt
Learners may sound too formal or too direct when choosing can vs. may.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.