Permission: getting the go-ahead CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE ADVANCED

UNIT 72

Permission: getting the go-ahead

A	Permitting and agreeing that something may happen: verbs All these verbs are formal and many are typically found in newspapers. verb meaning example accede accept, but often associated with initial unwillingness The factory owner acceded to the workers’ demands. acquiesce /ˌækwiˈes/ permit something to happen, but often associated with a degree of secrecy or conspiracy The Foreign Minister acquiesced in the plan to restrict imports from certain countries. assent agree to something, often associated with plans, proposals, ideas, etc. The shareholders assented to the takeover. authorise give official permission Only authorised people are allowed entry. condone approve or allow something which most people consider to be wrong The judge condoned the use of reasonable force by police officers. countenance consider giving assent or permission, often used in negative contexts No government would ever countenance abolishing taxes altogether. endorse give official approval to something The cabinet has endorsed a proposal to change the way universities are funded.
B	Permitting: phrasal expressions The committee have been given carte blanche to investigate the problem and come up with a solution. [/kɑ(r)t blɑntʃ/ complete freedom to do whatever they think necessary; formal] The city has given the go-ahead for / given the green light to the new car park. [given permission for the building to start; informal]
C	Prohibiting and disapproving: verbs verb meaning example bar officially exclude, forbid someone access to something Three students were barred from using the library because they had damaged books. clamp down use your full power to prevent or limit something The government has decided to clamp down on illegal immigration. outlaw make something illegal Parliament has passed a bill outlawing smoking while driving. veto /ˈviːtəʊ/ use your official power to forbid The President has vetoed the plan to open membership of the club to the public. Common mistakes Regardless is not an adjective but an adverb. It means in spite of something. It can be used on its own: Her parents said she couldn’t go to the party but she went to it regardless. Or it can be followed by a phrase with of: They built the extension to their house regardless of the fact that they had not received formal planning permission.

EXERCISES

72.1	Fill the gaps with a suitable verb which expresses the meaning in brackets. There may be more than one possible answer. 1 The committee were in favour of the proposal, but the President _______ it. (used his/her official power to forbid it) 2 I would never _______ the use of capital punishment, no matter how serious the crime. (approve or refuse to condemn) 3 The newspaper revealed that the Prime Minister had _______ in the secret decision to sell arms to the dictator. (agreed to it, without openly admitting it) 4 The new bill going through Parliament will the _______ use of unlicensed drugs by doctors. (make illegal) 5 The manager has _______ the wearing of casual clothes to work on Friday. (used their official power to permit) 6 She has been _______ from lectures because she disrupted one last term. (forbidden to enter/attend) 7 The President finally had to _______ to demands for his resignation. (agree after being initially unwilling) 8 The police have announced that they are to begin to _______ on motorists who exceed the speed limit. (take serious action to reduce the number of)
72.2	Find and correct the preposition errors in these sentences. 1 Alex parked his car outside the shop regardless to the No Parking sign. 2 The Minister said he would never accede for the union’s demands. 3 It’s time the police clamped down to cyclists going through red lights. 4 The President has assented at the latest world environment plan. 5 The Minister is likely to acquiesce with the proposal. 6 The college principal has given the green light on the students’ proposal for an end-of-term festival. 7 The company has been given the go-ahead at a new factory in the city. 8 The inspector had carte blanche for investigate every aspect of the business.
72.3	Look at these headlines containing further words and expressions connected with permission and prohibition. Match them with the news clips. Use a dictionary if necessary.

ANSWER KEY

72.1 1 vetoed 2 condone / countenance 3 acquiesced 4 outlaw / ban 5 authorised / endorsed 6 barred / banned 7 accede 8 clamp down 72.2 1 Alex parked his car outside the shop regardless of the No Parking sign. 2 The Minister said he would never accede to the union’s demands. 3 It’s time the police clamped down on cyclists going through red lights. 4 The President has assented to the latest world environment plan. 5 The Minister is likely to acquiesce in / to the proposal. 6 The college principal has given the green light to the students’ proposal for an end-of-term festival. 7 The company has been given the go-ahead for a new factory in the city. 8 The inspector had carte blanche to investigate every aspect of the business. 72.3 1 c An embargo means an official prohibition on something. If the prohibition is cancelled, the embargo is lifted. 2 a A franchise is permission to operate some sort of service or commercial activity, usually for a set period of time. 3 d Zero-tolerance means that not even the smallest crime or misbehaviour will be allowed. 4 b Sanctions are restrictions on some activity.