Welcome to today’s English grammar lesson! We’re going to explore two useful phrases: “be allowed to” and “be supposed to.” These phrases are super important for expressing permission, rules, obligations, and expectations in English. If you’re a B1 level English learner looking to improve your spoken English and understand everyday conversations better, you’re in the right place! This lesson will break down everything you need to know in a simple and practical way.

What is “Be Allowed To”?

Meaning of “Be Allowed To”

“Be allowed to” is used to talk about permission. It means that someone has given you permission to do something, or that it is permitted by a rule or law. Think of it as the opposite of “forbidden” or “not permitted.” It’s all about what you have permission to do.

How to Use “Be Allowed To”

The structure for “be allowed to” is quite straightforward. You use a form of the verb “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, will be) followed by “allowed to” and then the base form of the verb. Let’s look at the structure:

Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were/will be) + allowed to + base verb

• Present Simple: I am allowed to use my phone in class (sometimes).
• Past Simple: She was allowed to stay up late last night because it was her birthday.
• Future Simple: We will be allowed to go on the school trip if we behave well.
• Present Continuous: (Less common, but possible) They are being allowed to leave early today as a special treat.
• Perfect Tenses: (Also possible) He has been allowed to park here because he has a special permit.

Remember, the “be” verb changes depending on the tense and the subject!

Examples of “Be Allowed To” in Sentences

Let’s see some more examples of “be allowed to” in action:

• “Are we allowed to bring food into the cinema?” (Asking for permission)
• “In this museum, you are not allowed to take photos with flash.” (Rule/Regulation)
• “Children under 12 are not allowed to watch this movie without an adult.” (Rule/Regulation)
• “My parents said I am allowed to go to the party.” (Permission given)
• “Were you allowed to drive your dad’s car when you were younger?” (Asking about past permission)

As you can see, “be allowed to” is very useful for talking about rules, regulations, and personal permissions. It’s a key part of everyday English, especially when discussing what is permitted or not.

What is “Be Supposed To”?

Meaning of “Be Supposed To”

“Be supposed to” is a bit different. It expresses obligation, expectation, or plans. It’s often about what is expected of you, what you should do, or what is planned or arranged. It’s not always about permission, but more about duty or expectation.

How to Use “Be Supposed To”

Similar to “be allowed to,” “be supposed to” also uses a form of the verb “to be” followed by “supposed to” and the base form of the verb. Here’s the structure:

Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were/will be) + supposed to + base verb

• Present Simple: I am supposed to be at work by 9 am. (Expectation/Obligation)
• Past Simple: She was supposed to call me yesterday, but she forgot. (Expected action in the past)
• Future Simple: We are supposed to have a meeting next week. (Planned event)
• Present Continuous: (Less common, but possible) He is supposed to be working on this project right now. (Current expectation)
• Perfect Tenses: (Also possible) I was supposed to have finished this report by Friday. (Past unfulfilled expectation)

Again, pay attention to the correct form of “be” depending on the tense and subject!

Examples of “Be Supposed To” in Sentences

Let’s look at some examples of “be supposed to” in sentences:

• “What time are we supposed to arrive at the airport?” (Asking about a planned time)
• “You are supposed to wear a uniform at this school.” (Rule/Expectation)
• “I was supposed to meet him for lunch, but he cancelled.” (Planned event that didn’t happen)
• “Are you supposed to be working right now, or are you on your break?” (Checking expectation)
• “They are supposed to announce the results tomorrow.” (Expected announcement)

“Be supposed to” is incredibly useful for talking about plans, duties, and what is generally expected in different situations. It’s a common phrase in spoken and written English.

“Be Allowed To” vs. “Be Supposed To”: What’s the Difference?

Sometimes, learners get confused between “be allowed to” and “be supposed to.” Let’s clarify the main differences:

• “Be allowed to” = Permission. It’s about having permission to do something. Think: “Is it okay if I do this?”
• “Be supposed to” = Obligation/Expectation/Plan. It’s about what is expected, planned, or your duty. Think: “What should I do?” or “What is planned?”

Here’s a simple way to remember:

• Allowed = Permission
• Supposed = Expectation/Plan

Consider these examples to see the difference clearly:

• “You are allowed to park here.” (Permission to park – it’s permitted)
• “You are supposed to park here.” (Obligation to park here – this is the designated parking spot)

In the first sentence, you can park here because it’s allowed. In the second, you should park here, or it’s expected that you park here, perhaps because it’s your assigned spot.

Common Mistakes with “Be Allowed To” and “Be Supposed To”

Here are a few common mistakes English learners sometimes make with these phrases, and how to avoid them:

• Confusing “allowed” and “supposed”: Remember the key difference: permission vs. expectation. Think about the meaning you want to convey – is it about permission or duty?
• Incorrect “be” verb form: Always double-check that you are using the correct form of “be” (am, is, are, was, were, will be) to match the subject and tense.
• Forgetting “to” after “allowed” and “supposed”: It’s always “allowed to” and “supposed to” followed by the base verb. Don’t forget the “to” !
• Using “can” instead of “be allowed to”: While “can” can sometimes express permission, “be allowed to” is generally more formal and often preferred when talking about rules and regulations. For example, “You are not allowed to smoke here” is more formal and rule-based than “You can’t smoke here.”

Practice makes perfect! The more you use these phrases, the more natural they will become.

Let’s Practice!

Now it’s your turn to practice! Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “be allowed to” or “be supposed to.” Choose the best option based on the context.

1. Children under 16 _________ (not / be allowed to) watch this film in the UK. (Rule)
2. I _________ (be supposed to) call my mum every Sunday. (Expectation)
3. _________ (you / be allowed to) use your phone during the exam? (Ask for permission)
4. We _________ (be supposed to) meet at 7 pm for dinner. (Plan)
5. In this library, you _________ (not / be allowed to) talk loudly. (Rule)
6. She _________ (be allowed to) go to her friend’s house after finishing her homework. (Permission given)
7. What _________ (we / be supposed to) bring to the party? (Asking about expectation)
8. They _________ (be supposed to) arrive by now. Where are they? (Past expectation – they are late)
9. _________ (he / be allowed to) drive your car? (Asking about permission)
10. You _________ (be supposed to) clean your room every week. (Duty)

Answers:

1. are not allowed to
2. am supposed to
3. Are you allowed to
4. are supposed to
5. are not allowed to
6. is allowed to
7. are we supposed to
8. were supposed to
9. Is he allowed to
10. are supposed to

Practice Speaking with Lingofrnd

Great job on completing the practice exercises! Now, to really master “be allowed to” and “be supposed to,” you need to practice speaking! One of the best ways to improve your spoken English and use these grammar points naturally is with Lingofrnd.com.

Lingofrnd is your AI spoken English teacher. You can practice using “be allowed to” and “be supposed to” in conversations, get instant feedback, and build your confidence in speaking English. It’s perfect for B1 level learners who want to improve their fluency and practical English skills.

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• Practice speaking anytime, anywhere.
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