مدونة التربية و التعليم في الجزائر – دروس، فروض، نتائج امتحانات مدونة التربية والتعليم في الجزائر | تحضير الدروس، فروض واختبارات، نتائج البكالوريا وBEM، مسابقات التوظيف، والتوجيه المدرسي للطلاب وأولياء الأمور.
Asking for permission is an important skill in English. We use specific expressions to ask if we can do something politely. In this lesson, you will learn how to ask for, give, and refuse permission using can, could, and may.
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Learning Objectives
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- Ask for permission politely using Can I, Could I, and May I
- Give and refuse permission appropriately
- Understand the difference between formal and informal requests
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Asking for Permission
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There are three common ways to ask for permission in English :
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1. Can I…? (Informal — used with friends and family)
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- Can I go to the bathroom, please?
- Can I borrow your pen?
- Can I open the window?
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2. Could I…? (More polite — used in formal situations)
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- Could I ask a question?
- Could I use your phone, please?
- Could I have a glass of water?
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3. May I…? (Very formal — used with teachers and strangers)
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- May I come in?
- May I speak to the teacher?
- May I leave early today?
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Giving Permission
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- Yes, you can. / Yes, you may. (formal)
- Of course. / Sure. / Go ahead. (informal)
- Yes, please do. / Certainly.
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Refusing Permission
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- No, you can’t. / No, you may not.
- I’m sorry, but you can’t.
- I’m afraid not.
- No, I’m sorry. That’s not allowed.
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Classroom Dialogue Example
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Student : Excuse me, Miss. May I go to the bathroom?
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Teacher : Yes, you may. But please come back quickly.
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Student : Thank you, Miss.
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Friend 1 : Can I borrow your ruler?
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Friend 2 : Sure, here you are.
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Friend 1 : Thanks!
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Solved Examples
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Example 1 : Complete with Can I, Could I, or May I
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a) _____ borrow your pen? (friend) → Can I borrow your pen?
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b) _____ speak to the principal? (formal) → May I speak to the principal?
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Example 2 : Give the correct response
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Q: Can I sit here?
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A: Yes, of course! / No, I’m sorry. My friend is sitting here.
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Practice Exercises
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- Complete with Can I, Could I, or May I : _____ open the door? _____ use your computer? _____ ask you a question?
- Write a polite request for each situation : You want to borrow a book from your friend. → _____. You want to leave class early (to teacher). → _____. You want water from a restaurant waiter. → _____.
- Give the correct answer (give or refuse permission) : Can I close the window? (give) → _____. May I use your phone? (refuse) → _____.
- Match : Can I (formal) / Could I (very formal) / May I (informal) — correct the matches.
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Homework Activity
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Write a short dialogue between a student and a teacher (4-6 exchanges) where the student asks for permission three times using May I and Could I. Then write another dialogue between two friends using Can I.
◆ دروس مشابهة
- Adverbs of Frequency — Always, Usually, Sometimes, Never — English — 2nd Year Mi
- School Subjects and Timetable — Vocabulary and Expressions — English 2nd Year Mi