这里应用 permitting

有一读者问：有这样一道填空题：

(1)Time _____, they would come and join us.

该填 permitting 还是 permits?

须填 permitting, 与 time 构成一常用的独立分词结构，用作条件状语。英语里还可说 weather permitting, 实例如：

(2)Weather permitting , we'll go on a picnic.