VIII. Asking permission (favours)

1. Discussion

Here are the most common ways of asking permission to do something:

May I ...? - formal

Can I …? - semi-formal_, informal

Could I ….? - more polite

Could I possibly ...? - emphasises that one is asking a favour.

I wonder if I could ...?

Do you mind if I ...? {+ present simple) - implies that the speaker intends to do what he asks.

e.g. Do you mind if I came a bit later?

Would you mind if ...? (+ past subjunctive) - does not imply this.

e.g. Would you mind if I came a bit later?

Is it all right if I / for me to …?

To grant permission the following forms are used:

(Yes,) certainly. - formal

(Yes,) of course. - semi-formal, informal

Go ahead. - informal

If you like. - often implies an element of reluctance

Not at all/ No, that’s all right. – in reply to Do/ Would you mind?

To refuse permission we use:

(No.) I'm afraid-not.

(No,) I'm sorry. You can't.

No, of course not.

I’d rather you didn't. - tactful

Yes, I would mind. - in reply to “Do/Would you mind?^” - abrupt, possible rude)

No. It isn't all right. – in reply to “ Is it all right?” - abrupt, possible rude)

Illustrative Examples

1. - May I come in?

-Yes, certainly.

2. - Can we go now?

- Yes_, of course.

3. - Could I use your telephone, please?

- Certainly.

4. - Could I possibly borrow your DVD-player?

- No, I'm sorry. You can't. I don't allow other people to use it.

5. - Do you think I could stay the night?

- All right.

5. - I wonder if I could make a suggestion.

- Go ahead.

7. Do you mind if I smoke?

- I'd rather you didn't.

8. -Would you mind if I came a bit earlier?

- No, not at all.

8. - Is it all right if I bring the book back next time?

-Yes, that’s quite all right.

10. -Is it all right if I leave early today?

- No, it isn't all right.

2. Practice Section

Exercise 1. Ask permission with varying degrees of formality, using one item from each column.

May I Can I Could I (possibly) I wonder if I could Do you think I could Is it all right if I

ask a question leave work early today use your mobile phone look at your figures leave a message bring my colleague to the party close the window borrow your dictionary pay you for the tickets next week

Exercise 2. Ask permission to do the following. (The person you ask is given in brackets where necessary):

1) To borrow a friend’s umbrella;

2) To open a window in a train ( a fellow-passenger);

3) To speak to Mr. Grainger (export manager of a com­pany you deal with) on the phone;

4) To leave a class earlier (your teacher);

5) To smoke (while visiting your neighbour),

6) To look someone’s newspaper ( a stranger);

7) To bring a friend to a party (anther friend);

8) To sit at someone’s table in a restaurant;

9) To give in your translation a day later (your teacher);

10) To try on a suit/ shirt (a shop-assistant).

Exercise 3. Either grant or refuse permission.

(A plus sign indicates that permission should be granted, a minus sign – refused.)

1. May I come in? (+)

2. May I have another cup of tea? (+)

3. Could I borrow this book for a few days? (-)

4. Can I leave now? (+)

5. Would you mind if I came a bit later? (-)

6. Is it all right for me to have a shower? (+)

7. May I take the day off tomorrow? (-)

8. Is it all right if I switch the television on? (+)

9. Do you mind if I smoke? (-)

10. I wonder if I could come to one of your classes. (+)

11. Would you mind if I used your car? (-)

12. Can I borrow your hair-drier? (+)

Exercise 4. Make up your own dialogues based on those given below.

(i)

- Would you mind if I had some time off?

- When exactly?

- Monday and Tuesday of next week.

- I’d like to say yes, but it’s not just possible.

(ii)

• I wonder whether you could put my friend up for a few days?

• Tell me when.

• Next weekend actually.

• Let me think it over, and I‘ll tell you later.

IX. A P O L O G I E S