Spanish permission verbs explained with infinitives and “Que” clauses

Introduction

Understanding how to ask for and give permission is essential in Spanish. This article explains Spanish permission verbs with infinitives and que clauses, showing when to use each structure and providing clear examples for beginners to intermediate learners.

What are permission verbs?

Permission verbs are verbs used to allow, forbid, or request permission. Common Spanish permission verbs include dejar, permitir, prohibir, and permitirse when reflexive. These verbs can be followed by an infinitive or by a clause introduced with que. Learning the differences helps you speak more naturally and avoid mistakes.

Infinitive constructions after permission verbs

Many permission verbs are followed directly by an infinitive when the subject of both verbs is the same. The structure is simple: verb of permission + infinitive.

Examples where the subject is the same:

Ella deja fumar en su casa.
Nosotros permitimos usar el baño.

Here, the person who permits and the person doing the action are the same subject. Use the infinitive because there is no change in subject between the two verbs.

Common verbs used with infinitives

dejar + infinitive — to let, to allow
permitir + infinitive — to permit, to allow
prohibir + infinitive — to prohibit (less common directly with infinitive for personal subjects)

Examples:

Mi padre deja conducir a los dieciocho años.
El profesor permite entrar tarde.

Using que clauses after permission verbs

When the subject of the permission verb is different from the subject of the action verb, Spanish commonly uses a que clause plus a conjugated verb. The structure is: verb of permission + que + subjunctive when expressing permission or request, or indicative in some contexts.

Why the subjunctive?

The subjunctive mood is used after expressions of desire, doubt, influence, or preference. Permission falls under influence or request, so the verb in the que clause usually appears in the present subjunctive for present or future actions, and in the imperfect subjunctive for past actions when reporting permission given earlier.

Examples with que + subjunctive

Mi madre deja que yo salga con mis amigos.
El jefe permite que los empleados trabajen desde casa.

Notice that the verb after que is conjugated in the subjunctive because the subject changes: mi madre versus yo, el jefe versus los empleados.

When to use indicative after que

In some cases where the permission verb states a fact or habitual situation and there is no element of influence, the indicative may appear. This is more common with verbs like decir or verbs that report information rather than grant permission directly.

Examples:

La escuela dice que las clases empiezan a las ocho. (indicative)

However, with direct permission verbs like dejar or permitir, the subjunctive is the standard after que when the subject changes.

Infinitive vs que clause: choosing the right structure

Decide based on whether the subject changes between the permission verb and the action verb.

If subject is the same: use infinitive.

María deja estudiar a su hijo. (María lets her son study — here the subject does not change if context implies the same person; more natural: María deja a su hijo estudiar.)

If subject is different: use que + subjunctive.

Los padres dejan que su hijo estudie en la biblioteca.

Compare pairs

Yo permiso abrir la ventana. (incorrect)
Yo permito abrir la ventana. (grammatically: allows someone implied; better: Yo permiso is wrong form)
Yo permito que tú abras la ventana. (correct — different subject)

Use the infinitive only when the doer is the same person and the verb permits a naked infinitive after it.

Special verb: dejar and its uses

Dejar is one of the most versatile verbs for permission. It can mean to leave, to let, or to allow. With an infinitive, it often implies allowing someone to do something directly. With que plus subjunctive, it emphasizes permission for another subject.

Examples:

Déjame entrar. (infinitive attached to imperative — let me enter)
Mis padres dejan que yo vaya a la fiesta. (they allow me to go)

In some regions and contexts, people also use dejar + infinitive with object pronouns: Déjalo usar. Means let him use it. Colloquial speech often relies on these structures.

Other verbs and nuances

Permitir is more formal than dejar. Use permitir in written or polite contexts.

Example formal: La universidad permite que los estudiantes trabajen mientras estudian.

Prohibir expresses prohibition and is often followed by que + subjunctive when the subject changes, or by an infinitive when the subject is the same and the action is a general rule.

Ejemplos:

El colegio prohíbe fumar en el campus. (infinitive for a general rule)
La ley prohíbe que los menores consuman alcohol. (que + subjunctive because subjects differ)

Permitirse and reflexive nuance

Permitirse means to allow oneself or to afford (in a figurative sense). It is reflexive and usually followed by an infinitive when speaking about the same subject doing the action.

Example: No me permito gastar tanto dinero.
Ella no se permite salir hasta terminar su trabajo.

Tense and mood: past permission

To talk about permission in the past, use the preterite or imperfect for the permission verb, and the imperfect subjunctive in the que clause if the subject changes.

Examples:

Mis padres dejaron que yo saliera con mis amigos. (preterite + imperfect subjunctive)
Cuando era niño, mi profesor no me permitía hablar en clase. (imperfect for habitual past)

When reporting what someone said they allowed, Spanish often uses the imperfect subjunctive to match the past perspective.

Cultural and usage notes

In many Spanish-speaking countries, dejar is more common in everyday speech for permission, while permitir appears in formal or institutional contexts. For forbidding actions, prohibir and phrases like no dejar or no permitir are widely used.

Spanish also uses polite forms to request permission. Use ¿Puedo…? or ¿Me permite…? when asking. These use the first person and are followed by an infinitive.

Examples of polite requests:

¿Puedo entrar?
¿Me permite hacer una pregunta?

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

1. Mixing subjects and keeping the infinitive. If the subject changes, do not use an infinitive. Use que + subjunctive.
Incorrect: El profesor permite hablar los estudiantes.
Correct: El profesor permite que los estudiantes hablen.

2. Using indicative after que when permission is involved. Remember that permission usually triggers the subjunctive in the clause when the subject changes.
Incorrect: Mis padres dejan que yo salgo tarde.
Correct: Mis padres dejan que yo salga tarde.

3. Confusing dejar with permitir in tone. Use dejar for informal, everyday contexts and permitir for formal settings.

Practical sentence patterns to remember

Verb of permission + infinitive (same subject):

Yo dejo comer. / Nosotros permitimos usar la sala.

Verb of permission + que + present subjunctive (different subject, present/future):

Ellos permiten que tú entres temprano.

Verb of permission + que + imperfect subjunctive (different subject, past):

Mis padres dejaron que yo estudiara medicina.

Examples in context

At school: El director prohíbe usar el teléfono en clase. / El director prohíbe que los estudiantes usen el teléfono durante las lecciones.

At home: Mamá deja ver televisión después de hacer los deberes. / Mamá deja que los niños vean una hora de televisión los fines de semana.

Polite request: ¿Puedo tomar prestado su bolígrafo? / ¿Me permite que use su bolígrafo por un momento?

Conclusion

Mastering permission verbs with infinitives and que clauses helps you communicate requests, permissions, and prohibitions clearly. Remember to check whether the subject changes: use an infinitive when it does not, and use que plus the subjunctive when it does. Practice listening for dejar, permitir, and prohibir in real speech to get a feel for formal and informal usage.