Quote Originally Posted by zorro View Post
Thanks, max,

A quick question: can нельзя be used in the past or future? I want to say, "Jews were not allowed to work in the government." (This is related to a reading on anti-Semitism).

Нельзя было еврейям работать в государственную службу. Is there a better way to express this? What about in the future, "You won't be allowed to..."

Z
Yes, in conventional speech we say НЕЛЬЗЯ БЫЛО/НЕЛЬЗЯ БУДЕТ.
In formal situation though, more likely will be chosen different structures.

Past:
Евреям не позволялось работать...
Евреям запрещалось работать...
Евреи не могли работать...
Евреи не допускались к работе...
...

Future:
Вам/тебе не будет позволено ...
Вы/ты не сможете/сможешь ...

работать в государственную службу -> работать на государственной службе (prepositional required)

"When he couldn't find work, she helped him out."
Когда он не мог найти работу, она ему помогла.
"не удалось" sounds for me as if he made one attempt and surrendered.
More likely he was seeking for a job for a while. So I would use imperfective past voice.