English Vocabulary in Use Advanced » Unit 72: Permission: getting the go-ahead

Word List
  • accede
  • acquiesce
  • assent
  • authorise
  • bar
  • carte blanche
  • clamp down
  • condone
  • countenance
  • endorse
  • give carte blanche
  • give the go-ahead for
  • give the green light to
  • outlaw
  • regardless
  • veto
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 aft er 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.
    _____
Answer Key
A ‣ Permitting and agreeing that something may happen: verbs

All these verbs are formal and many are typically found in newspapers.

verbmeaningexample
accedeaccept, but often associated with initial unwillingnessThe factory owner acceded to the workers’ demands.
acquiesce /ˌækwiˈes/permit something to happen, but often associated with a degree of secrecy or conspiracyThe Foreign Minister acquiesced in the plan to restrict imports from certain countries.
assentagree to something, often associated with plans, proposals, ideas, etc.The shareholders assented to the takeover.
authorisegive official permissionOnly authorised people are allowed entry.
condoneapprove or allow something which most people consider to be wrongThe judge condoned the use of reasonable force by police officers.
countenanceconsider giving assent or permission, often used in negative contextsNo government would ever countenance abolishing taxes altogether.
endorsegive official approval to somethingThe 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. [/ˌkɑː(r)t ˈblɑːntʃ/ 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

verbmeaningexample
barofficially exclude, forbid someone access to somethingThree students were barred from using the library because they had damaged books.
clamp downuse your full power to prevent or limit somethingThe government has decided to clamp down on illegal immigration.
outlawmake something illegalParliament has passed a bill outlawing smoking while driving.
veto /ˈviːtəʊ/use your official power to forbidThe 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.

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