Subscribe to this site and get all the free worksheets, and many more, as pdfs and online gapfill exercises, as well as the two books, The Latin Heart of English Volume 1 and The Liondale English Language Series Volume 1 (pdf downloads), for only £10! Click here: Subscribe to site


Verbs meaning Allow/Forbid gapfill Bookmark and Share

Word groups - information and contents

This exercise practises verbs meaning allow or forbid. Put one of these verbs in each space. Remember to use the correct form of the verb depending on its use in the sentence. They have been split into groups of four to ensure clear choices of answers. Pay attention to spelling.

bar, grant, license, sanction

1. I'm terribly sorry, sir, but this restaurant is not (1) to sell alcohol. We can only serve non-alcoholic drinks.

2. This ticket (2) you free, unlimited travel throughout the whole rail system for one month.

3. I tried to get into that nightclub, but the doorman told me that I was (3) . I haven't done anything so I don't know why they won't let me in.

4. The government of California has decided to (4) the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.



censor, entitle, permit, prohibit

5. Smoking is (5) everywhere in the building. You have to go outside if you want to smoke.

6. Everyone is (6) to a fair trial, even for the most horrific of crimes. It is one of the most basic of human rights.

7. In a free, democratic society the government has no right to (7) the press or television.

8. The police held the demonstrators in the square for six hours. They did not even (8) them to use the toilet.



authorise, approve, ban, veto

9. Four members of the Security Council wanted to take action and send troops in, but the decision was (9) by the fifth member.

10. I am not (10) by the company to take a decision, but I can certainly pass your case on to my supervisor to look at.

11. After Kevin was convicted of drunken driving he was (11) from driving for a year and fined £1000.

12. I am pleased to tell you that your application for time off has been (12) . You can take two weeks next month.