New here? This is lesson 30 of a free 240-lesson English course.
What's allowed in English
Ana is at the Blue Plate again. She looks at the old jukebox by the door. She wants to open it.
Dee says no. That is not allowed. Please don't, hon. Murray sits very still on two stools.
By the end, you'll say what people can do here, and what they cannot do.
You'll ask if it is allowed, and who can say yes.
By the end of this lesson
Say what you can and cannot do in a place.
- You can ___ here.This action is okay in this place.
- It's allowed.People can do this here.
- It's not allowed.People cannot do this here.
- Please don't ___.I am asking you not to do this.
- Is it allowed here?Can people do this in this place?
- Who can I ask?Which person can say yes?
Scene — the jukebox stays shut
Same morning at the Blue Plate. Ana stands by the jukebox near the door. One button has no label.
Dee watches from the counter, coffee pot in hand. Murray sits very still on two stools. His coffee is not finished.
Learn — what is allowed
Six short lines cover what you can do here, and what you cannot do.
You'll ask if it is allowed, and who can say yes.
You can ___ here.
This action is okay in this place.
When to use it: Say this when an action is okay in this place.
Learn it as one piece for things that are okay here.
It's allowed.
People can do this here.
When to use it: Say this when people can do this here.
Learn it as one piece when the answer is yes.
Say it: The stress is on the second part.
It's not allowed.
People cannot do this here.
When to use it: Say this when people cannot do this here.
Learn it as one piece when the answer is no.
Say it: Say not clearly in this line.
Please don't ___.
I am asking you not to do this.
When to use it: Say this to ask someone not to do a thing.
Learn it as one piece to stop an action.
Say it: Don't is short and strong.
Is it allowed here?
Can people do this in this place?
When to use it: Ask this to check if people can do this here.
Learn it as one piece to check the rule here.
Who can I ask?
Which person can say yes?
When to use it: Ask this when you need the person who can say yes.
Learn it as one piece when you need a yes from someone.
Say it: Can is small and quick here.
Story — please don't
Watch Ana at the jukebox. Dee will not let her open it.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Ana stops by the jukebox. One button has no label.
AnaExcuse me.you say this to get someone's attention- She reaches for the jukebox door to open it. Murray sits very still.
DeeDon't open the jukebox, hon.She does not want Ana to open it.- AnaIs it allowed here?Can people do this in this place?
- DeeIt's not allowed.People cannot do this here.
- AnaWho can I ask?Which person can say yes?
- DeeMe. Please don't open it, hon.She is the person, and she asks Ana not to open it.
- Ana steps back from a stool. She thinks sitting is wrong too.
MurrayYou can sit here.This action is okay in this place.- DeeIt's allowed. Sit anywhere.Sitting is okay, and Ana can choose any seat.
- AnaSorry.a short apology
Practice — can or cannot
Eleven quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and swap a word.
They stay tiny, so the round moves fast.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
You can ___ here.Drop the Simple English hereIt's allowed.Drop the Simple English hereIt's not allowed.Drop the Simple English herePlease don't ___.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
A stool is free at the counter. Tell Ana that sitting here is okay.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
It's allowed.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
I am asking you not to do this.
Please ____ ___.
Build the line
Build the line
Can people do this in this place?
?
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Murray says:
Pick the reply
I can't say yes.
he is not the person who can say yes
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
You need the person who can say yes.
Who can I ____?
What do you say?
What do you say?
Dee is talking to Murray. You need her to look at you.
True or false?
True or false?
This means you must sit in one special seat.
Pick the reply
Dee says:
Pick the reply
Please don't open it.
I am asking you not to do this.
And you reply with:
Say it — say the rule
Now you're Ana at the jukebox. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- DeeDon't open the jukebox, hon.She does not want Ana to open it.
- Ana (you)Ask if people can do this in this place.
Ask if people can do this in this place.
Is it allowed here?
Can people do this in this place?
0 of 3 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| You can ___ here. | This action is okay in this place. | |
| It's allowed. | People can do this here. | |
| It's not allowed. | People cannot do this here. | |
| Please don't ___. | I am asking you not to do this. | |
| Is it allowed here? | Can people do this in this place? | |
| Who can I ask? | Which person can say yes? |
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