Asking for permission
We use can, could, may and might to ask for
permission, depending on the situation.
1. Can is the commonest and most informal: Can I borrow your umbrella (please)?
2. Could is more polite than can: Could I borrow your umbrella (please)?
3. May is more formal, more respectful than can and could: May I borrow your umbrella (please)?
4. Might is the most polite but the least common: Might I borrow your umbrella (please)?
5. We can add possibly and use the expressions like Do you think and I wonder if to make requests even more polite:
Can/Could/May/Might I possibly borrow your
umbrella?
Do you think I could/Do you think I might
(possibly) borrow your umbrella?
I wonder if I could/I wonder if I might
(possibly) borrow your umbrella?
Giving and refusing permission
We use can or may to give permission (but not could or might). May is formal and not often used in speech.
You can wait in my office if you like. Could I borrow your calculator? Of course you can. You may watch TV for as long as you like.
To refuse permission we use the negative forms.
I'm sorry, but you can't picnic here. Members may not bring more than two visitors into the club.
We can also use must not.
Bicycles may not (OR must not) be left here.
Talking about permission
We sometimes talk about rules made by someone else. To do this we use can, could and be allowed to. We use can to talk about the present or the future, and we use could for the past:
Present: Each passenger can take one bag onto the plane.
Future: I can't have another day off tomorrow.
Past: Years ago you could park your car any-
where.
We can also use be allowed to:
Present: Passengers are allowed to take one bag
onto the plane. Future: Will I be allowed to record the interview
on tape?
Past: We weren't allowed to feed the animals at the zoo yesterday.
For a general permission in the past we use either could or was/were allowed to:
I could always stay (OR I was allowed to stay) up late as a child.
But we cannot use could when we mean that an action really happened at a time in the past.
I was allowed to leave work early yesterday. (Not: I could leave...)
This is like the difference between could and was/ were able to.
Compare questions with may and be allowed to:
May I take a photo of you?
(Asking for permission: 'Will you allow it?')
Are we allowed to take photos?
(Asking about permission: 'What is the rule?')
Activities
I. Study and practise the following dialogues.
1. Could I go home early, Steve? I don't feel very well.
Yes, of course. What's the matter?
I feel dizzy.
2. Can I see my sister, doctor?
I'm afraid you can't. She's being examined by the professor now.
3. Could I borrow your car tonight?
Actually, I need it myself. Sorry.
4. May I take this book?
No, please don't. I haven't finished it yet.
5. Might I use your bicycle?
No, I'm afraid not. Sorry.
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6. Could I possibly use your phone?
Sure.
7. Can (May) I come in for a moment?
Please do.
8. I wonder if I might take the day off?
No, sorry. You ought to finish the report.
9. Could I have a look at your magazine?
Yes, of course.
10. Do you think I could close the window?
Please do,
11. Could I possibly borrow your bike for half an hour?
Of course you can.
12. Can I go swimming now?
Please don't.
13. May I bring a friend with me this afternoon?
Sure.
14. Can I stay here for a while?
Certainly.
15. Can I speak to Emily?
I'm afraid you can't. She's out.
II. Ask for permission using the words in the box.
| May I sit Do you think I could close Could I have Can I try May I come Can I borrow | in? a look at your magazine? this on? here? your bike for half an hour? the window? |
III. Rephrase these notices to give or refuse permission. Begin each sentence with 'You...'
1. Thank you for not smoking. You may not smoke.
2. No camping or picnicking_________________________
3. Fishing strictly forbidden__________________________
4. Campers welcome________________________________
5. Private-Keep Out________________________________
6. No parking_____________________________________
7. Do not lean out of the window_____________________
8. Leave your litter here____________________________
9. No stopping____________________________________
10. Do not walk on the grass___________________________
11. Do not feed the animals__________________________
IV. Write formal versions, with may (not), of:
1. You can't take dogs into this restaurant. Dogs may not be taken into this restaurant.
2. Children under 12 can't enter unless they're with a grownup.
Children under 12________________enter unless accompanied by an adult.
3. Sorry, we can't sell alcoholic drinks to anyone under 18.
We regret that alcoholic drinks______________sold to
anyone under 18.
4. You can only book a court if you're a member of the tennis club.
Courts__________only____________by members of
the tennis club.
5. Don't smoke in the classrooms! Students________________.
VI. Ask a classmate a polite question. Use may I, could I, or can I.
Example. (...) has a book. You want to see it for a minute.
STUDENT A: May/Could/Can I (please) see your book for
a minute?
STUDENT B: Of course./Sure./ etc. STUDENT A: Thank you./Thanks.
1. (...) has a dictionary. You want to see it for a minute.
2. (...) has a pen. You want to use it for a minute.
3. (...) has a calculator. You want to borrow it.
4. (...) has a camera. You want to see it for a minute.
5. You want to see something that a classmate has.
6. You want to use something that a classmate has.
7. You want to borrow something that a classmate has.
8. You are at a restaurant. (...) is your waiter/waitress. You have finished your meal. You want the check.
9. You are at (...)'s house. You want to use the phone.
10. You are speaking to one of your teachers. You want to leave class early today.
11. You are visiting a friend and you want to make yourself some coffee.
12. You are visiting an acquaintance and want to use the lavatory.
13. You are visiting a friend and want to borrow his new car.
VII. Put an appropriate verb in its correct form into each gap. The verbs are can, could, to be able.
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The forms are positive and negative.
1. In my country you... get married when you are 16. 2. Women... vote in England until 1922. 3. Last night I... get into my house because I had forgotten my key. 4. I phoned the Gas Board because I thought I... smell gas, which is very dangerous. 5. 'Hello. Is that the dentist?... I make an appointment to see you, please?' 6. I'm learning car mechanics because I want... to service my own car. It costs a fortune if you send it to the garage. 7. Many night animals... see very
well, but they have a highly developed sense of smell. 8. If you... do this exercise, you're very clever!
VIII. Read the instructions below. Say what they mean, using not allowed to or allowed to.
You're not allowed to take more than one piece of hand luggage.
IN THE AIRPORT HALL
1. No more than one piece of hand luggage.
2. Passengers may check in at any British Airways desk. 2. No passengers beyond this point without a boarding card.
ON THE PLANE
4. No smoking in the toilets.
5. Passengers may smoke in rows 1620.
6. No pipes or cigars.
IX. Read about legal ages in Britain.
| ABOUT LEGAL AGES IN BRITAIN | |
| These are the legal ages when you are allowed to do | things' |
| in Britain. | |
| drive a car | |
| ride a moped | |
| buy cigarettes; | |
| vote in elections | |
| join the army | |
| get married with your parents' permission | |
| get married without your parents' permission |
In pairs, ask and answer about Britain.
A: When are you allowed to drive a car?
B: (You're allowed to drive a car) when you're seventeen.
A: What about a moped?
B: You're not allowed to ride a moped until you are sixteen.
Now ask and answer about your country.
X. Make rules for the places or situations. Example I. In a library (X) eat or drink
1. You're not allowed to eat or drink in a library.
2. In a restaurant (X) wear beach clothes
3. In a petrol station (X) light a cigarette
4. In a theatre (X) smoke
5. On a motorway (X) cycle
6. On a motorway (X) drive over 120 kmph
XL Read about Ranjit, a sixteen-year-old Indian girl, who talks about growing up in England.
'My parents are devoted Sikhs. They are very strict. I am not allowed to go out at night with either a boy or a girlfriend. That's not because I'm not old enough, it's because of our religion. Eventually my parents will choose a husband for me. My parents don't mind if I wear English clothes but I am not allowed to cut my hair short, or wear it loose. And of course I'm not allowed either to smoke cigarettes or to drink alcohol. So I can't go into pubs or anything like that.'
A. About you
Were your parents very strict when you were younger or were you allowed to do what you wanted? What things were you not allowed to do?
XII. Complete the sentences using could or was/were allowed to. Sometimes either form is possible.
1. Andrew... leave school early yesterday because he wasn't feeling well. 2. Until the 19th century, people... travel freely between most countries without a passport. 3. Sue's children... watch the film on TV last night. 4. Her son has to wear a uniform in his new school, but in his old school he... wear whatever he liked. 5.1... see him for a few moments yesterday. 6. I... borrow my parents' car last night. 7. When I was 18, I... borrow my parents' car whenever I wanted to.
XIII. Translate from Russian into English.
1. - .
2. . 3. , ? , . 4. . 5. . . 6. ? , , . 7. , 5.00. 8. , , . 9. ? , . . 10. , . 11. ? 12. . 13. ? , . 14. , . 15. ? ? . , . 16. ? , . . 17. , . 18. . 19. , . 20. , . 21. , , . 22. ? 23. . 24. .
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XIV. Study and practise.
1. Driver: Excuse me. Can I park here for five minutes
while I wait for a friend?
Traffic warden: No, I'm afraid you can't. These double yellow lines mean that no parking is allowed. But if you drive round the corner you can park there for thirty minutes without any problems.
2. Customer: I'd like to join the library. Librarian: Could you fill this form in, please? Customer: All right. How many books may I take out? Librarian: You can have up to five books for two
weeks. You may keep them longer but you
must renew them first. Customer: May I take five books with me today,
straight away? Librarian: Yes, of course.
3. Enrico: May I leave early this afternoon, please? Jill: Yes, you may leave now, in fact. We've
almost finished our work for today. Maria: Can I leave now, too, please? I want to go
with Enrico. We're are going to a lecture
at the University.
Jill: Yes, of course you can.
Juan: Can we all leave early?
Jill: No, I'm afraid you can't.
4. Kevin: Dad!
Mr Wilkins: Yes, Kevin?
Kevin: Dad... Can I go to Henley Youth Hostel
this weekend? Mr Wilkins: Who with? Kevin: Mark and Barbara.
Mr Wilkins: Mmm... Kevin: Well? Can I?
Mr Wilkins: No you can't. Kevin: Oh, Dad! Why not?
Mr Wilkins: Because you can't! Kevin: Mum, can I go to Henley Youth Hostel
with Barbara and Mark? Mrs Wilkins: When? Kevin: This weekend.
Mrs Wilkins: What do you think, Stan? Mr Wilkins: Well, Liz, there's a lot of work to do in
the garden. Mrs Wilkins: But we can do it, Stan.
Mr Wilkins: Oh, all right then. Kevin: Thanks, Dad.
5. Johnny: Excuse me, sir. It's cold in this classroom.
Could I close the window? Teacher: OK, Johnny. Close it quickly and then sit
down and get on with the test. Johnny: Sir, could I have another sheet of paper?
I've spoiled this one. Teacher: Here's another sheet. Now, please get on
with your work. Johnny: Sir! Sir! Could I just leave the room for a
few minutes? Teacher: Why didn't you go before you began the
exam? Johnny: I didn't want to go then, sir.
6. Mr Thomas: Mr Roberts? Could I have a word with you? Mr Roberts: Yes, what is it?
Mr Thomas: Well, as you know, my father can't walk very well, and he needs to go into hospital. I was wondering if I could have a day off work?
Mr Roberts: It's not a very convenient time at the moment.
Mr Thomas: I'd be terribly grateful. He wouldn't be able to go if I wasn't there to help him.
Mr Roberts: Well, if that's the case I suppose you should.
Mr Thomas: That's very kind. I'll make up the time, I promise.
7. Son: Dad, can I have the car tonight? Father: No, you can't. I need it.
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Son: But I'm taking Dave to see his girlfriend in
hospital.
Father: I told you. I need it.
Son: Oh, please. He won't be able to go if I don't
give him a lift. Father: All right. I suppose I can walk. The exercise
will do me good. Son: Thanks a lot, Dad. I won't be home late.
8. Mrs Wilkins is on a strict diet. 'Am I allowed to eat toast and butter for breakfast?' she asked the doctor. 'I'm afraid not, Mrs Wilkins. You can only have half a grapefruit and a glass of water. You can't eat any kind of fat and you are not allowed to eat biscuits or sweets. But don't worry, you will be able to eat what you like after two months of this diet.' Mrs Wilkins was very determined and took a lot of exercise as well. After two months' diet and exercise she said to her husband, 'I still can't touch my toes as I could before we were married.' 'Don't worry, my love,' he said kindly. 'Perhaps your fingernails were longer in those days!'
9. One day, while they were playing in the sand near their home in New Zealand, nine-year-old Patrick and two friends found a giant egg. It was over a hundred times bigger than a chicken's egg. 'Can we keep it?' Patrick asked. 'Of course you can,' said his father. Patrick's friend added, 'I once found some old coins and I was allowed to keep them.' The children wanted to know all about their egg, so they wrote a letter to a scientific laboratory. This is what they said: 'Could you please help us to find out about our egg? May we bring it to show you? Would you please do some tests and tell us what's inside it? Are children allowed to visit your laboratory? If they are, could we please come soon?'
Patrick and his friends were allowed to take their egg for laboratory tests. The tests showed that it was an egg of the extinct elephant bird and that it was at least two thousand years old. What a surprise! 'We will be allowed to keep it, won't we, Dad?' Patrick asked. The children and their egg soon became famous. They appeared on television and someone offered them 75,000 dollars for it. They began to plan how they would spend the money. But it was all too good to be true. One day, a government letter arrived which said: 'The egg is public property. You are not allowed to keep things which belong to the State. We are sorry but you will have to give the egg to us. We will pay you some
money, but only a small amount.' 'They can't have it!' said Patrick, 'If we can't have it, nobody can.' Patrick was very angry. He buried the egg in the sand again and he still refuses to tell anyone where it is.
A. When Patrick and his friends took their egg to the laboratory, they asked a scientist to find out lots of things. Make their requests with 'Could you...?' Say your answers.
They asked the scientist to tell them how old the egg was. Could you please tell us how old the egg is?
1. They asked the scientist to find out what was inside.
2. They wanted the scientist to explain the tests to them.
3. They wanted the scientist to tell them what kind of egg it was.
4. They asked the scientist to find out what the eggshell was made of.
5. They wanted the scientist to tell them all about the elephant bird.
B. Patrick and his friends asked for permission to do the following things in the laboratory. Ask their questions using can or may.
They wanted to look through the microscopes. Can/May we look through the microscopes?
1. They wanted to look at the equipment.
2. Patrick wanted to help with the tests.
3. They wanted to stay until the tests were over.
4. Patrick wanted to see the results on the computer screen.
5. They wanted to take the results home.
C. Work with a partner. One partner is Patrick, the other partner is the scientist. Ask for permission to do the things in (B). Give or refuse permission with can, can't or be allowed to.
Patrick: Can/May I look through the microscopes? Scientist: Yes, you can. or No, I'm sorry you can't. Children aren't allowed to use the equipment.
What are you allowed to do where? Say what you think.
in a cinema
stand up during the film/eat and drink/smoke?
You aren't allowed to stand up during the film.
You are allowed to eat and drink if you don't make a
noise. You aren't allowed to smoke.
1. in a library
talk loudly/run about/ sit and read?
2. on a plane
play a radio/open the door/talk to the pilot?
3. in a museum
take photographs/touch things/talk to the museum attendants?
4. in a public park
pick the flowers/play football/ drop litter?
5. at school
eat during lessons/listen to music/shout?
