Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #271 of 305

Be Allowed To and Be Supposed To

Talk about rules and expectations.

Examples

  • You are not allowed to park here.
  • He is supposed to arrive at 9.

Key rules

  • Be allowed to means permission is given by a rule (You are not allowed to park here)
  • Be supposed to means expected or required by plan or rule (He is supposed to arrive at 9)
  • Use am, is or are before the phrase
  • Past: was allowed to, was supposed to

Common mistakes

  • You are not allowed park → You are not allowed to park
  • He supposed to come → He is supposed to come
💡 Tip: Both phrases need be and to.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
← I Wish with WouldObligation in the Past: Had To, Was Allowed To →

Related Intermediate topics

See all Intermediate grammar lessons →

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.