1

Please, help me to understand the usage of these modals better.

As I think, the most appropriate answer is

I wasn't able to drink coffee (come home late) when I was 10 years old.

because these situations are not about physical abilities (as something wrong with swallowing liquid or with legs :), but about external circumstances e.g. parents' rules, drinking coffee restrictions.

What's your opinion?

Improve this question
0

At 10 years of age, your issue is usually permission rather than ability.

Your parents/guardians are in charge of pretty much everything you do. You don't really have any say in things.

So, you really want to say

I didn't have permission to drink coffee (come home late) when I was 10 years old.

but, wow, that's a bit formal, so you'd soften it to

I wasn't allowed to drink coffee (come home late) when I was 10 years old.

& everybody knows you lacked the permission rather than the ability.

From comments:-

"Couldn't" would work, but it's more ambiguous…

I couldn't drive when I was 16.

Permission or ability? I think 'allowed' removes any ambiguity.

Improve this answer
  • 2
    In this instance, "couldn't" would still be appropriate to convey permission, though. See here (myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-modals.php) that "can" indicates permission, possibility or ability. If I had to choose between "couldn't" and "wasn't able", I would say it would be "couldn't". – LnZ Jan 17 '20 at 10:10
  • "I couldn't drive when I was 16" Permission or ability? I think 'allowed' removes any ambiguity. – gone fishin' again. Jan 17 '20 at 10:16
  • 1
    Of course, yes. However, from the question posed by @Hüsna Kefelioğlu, it seemed like we had to choose from the options there? That said, I agree that "allowed" is far more clear. – LnZ Jan 17 '20 at 10:17
  • 1
    I've added that to the answer, thanks for bringing it up - of course, there will be many times where ambiguity is considerably less. – gone fishin' again. Jan 17 '20 at 10:18
  • 2
    Your example above has no permission element at all, so the ambiguity isn't there. They were not able to get a good education because one simply wasn't available to them. – gone fishin' again. Jan 17 '20 at 11:16

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.