6.3.1: Polite Modals of Permission and Requests
- Page ID
- 257464
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The chart shows polite ways to make a request or ask for permission and various ways to answer affirmatively and negatively. When a negative response is given, it is considered polite to apologize (say you are sorry), often followed by an explanation.
|
Polite Questions |
Answers |
|
Making a Request Would you…? Could you please ...? Please, can you ...? |
(+) Yes, of course / Yes, certainly. (+) All right. (+) No problem! (-) I’m afraid not + explanation (-) I’m sorry I can’t + explanation |
|
Asking Permission May I ...? Could I...? Can I…? |
(+) Go ahead./ Sure /Of course! (+) No problem! (-) No, sorry +explanation (-) I’m afraid you can’t do that + explanation |
|
Do you mind if I ...? Would you mind if I ....? |
(+) Not at all/ Go ahead/ Sure! (-) I’m sorry + explanation |
Example Conversations: Asking for Permission
We ask for permission when we want to be allowed to do or have something or we want someone else to be allowed to do something.
| PERMISSION | Affirmative Answer | Negative Answer |
|
can - asking permission (informal) |
A. Can I change the channel? B. Of course, go ahead! |
A: Can I, please go to the party? B: I'm afraid you can't. You are too young! |
| could - asking permission (polite) |
A. Could I borrow your pencil? B. Sure, here you go. (giving A the pencil) |
A. Could I, please have a donut? B. I'm sorry, there aren't any more donuts. |
| may* -asking permission (rather formal - some people think this is more 'correct' ) |
A. May I take one of these? B: Certainly, help yourself! |
A: May I sit here? B: I'm sorry, this seat is taken. |
| Do you mind if..-asking permission (formal) |
A: Do you mind if I turn up the heater? B: Not at all. Go ahead |
A: Do you mind if I leave early today? B: I'm sorry, we have to finish this project. |
*May is only used in questions with the pronouns I and We
Talking about General Permission
We use be allowed to to talk about general permission, in other words, laws and rules.
- Only students are allowed to borrow books from this library.
- Are we allowed to smoke here?
- Cyclists are not allowed on the freeway.
Exercise 3.1: Asking for Permission
Read the conversations and fill in the blanks with words from the list. You will not use all of the answers.
| Do you mind if I | Certainly | Would |
| Could we | May | No at all |
| I’m sorry | I’m afraid | Go ahead |
| Here you are | Could I | Can we |
Conversation 1:
A: _______________ you show me how to submit this report, please?
B: _____________ but I can’t do it now. I have to finish this project before lunch.
Conversation 2:
A: _____________ order pizza for dinner?
B: _____________, I’ll order it online.
Conversation 3:
A: _____________ I take my vocabulary quiz next week?
B: _____________ you can’t. You must take the quiz today.
Conversation 4:
A: _____________ close the window. It’s too cold in here.
B: Not at all, I’ll turn on the heater.
Conversation 5:
A: _____________ borrow your pencil?
B: No problem. _____________
Conversation 6:
A: Do you mind if I take a cookie?
B: _______________. Help yourself!
Requests
When we make a request, we ask someone to do something.
| REQUESTS | Affirmative Answer | Negative Answer |
|
will- used when we expect an affirmative answer) |
A: Will you, please take this bag? B: Sure, no problem! |
A: Will you help me with this box? B: Sorry, my hands are full. |
|
can-more polite than "will" |
A: Can you help me with this, please? B: Of course! |
A: Can John borrow our lawnmower? B: I'm sorry, I have to use it today. |
| could - more polite than "can" |
A: Could you please lend me your pencil? B: Certainly, it's on the table. |
A: Could you stay and help with the dishes. B: I'm sorry, I have to get back home. |
| would-more polite than "will" and "can" |
A: Would you bring me some paper, please? B: Of course. Here you go! |
A: Would you, please unlock the door? B: I'm afraid I can't. I don't have a key. |
Exercise 3.2: Polite Requests
Read the conversations and fill in the blanks with words from the list. You will not use all of the answers. Some questions can have more than one answer.
| Would | Certainly |
| Could you | May |
| I’m sorry | Will |
| Of course | Could I |
Choose the correct responses
Conversation 1
A:________________ you, please open the door for me.
B: _______________ , here you are.
Conversation 2
A:________________ come to work early tomorrow?
B: _______________ , what time would you like me to come?
Conversation 3
A:________________ you give me a ride home?
B: _______________ , I don't have my car today.
Modals of Politeness - Practice
Exercise 3.3
Use a modal to re-write each of the following to express yourself in a more polite way.
1. Open the door.
2. Give me your eraser.
3. I want some coffee.
4. I don’t want milk. I want cream, instead.
5. Move your bag. It’s in my way.
6. I want to open the window.
7. Is it OK to use a dictionary?
8. Call back later. She’s not here now.
Exercise 3.4: Role Plays
Student A
1) Ask your classmate for permission to:
· borrow his/her pencil
· turn off the light
· sit next to him/her
2) Ask your classmate to:
· give you a ride to class
· help you find a girl/boyfriend
· lend you some money
3) Now reply to your partner’s requests.
Student B
1) Reply to your partner’s requests.
2) Ask your classmate for permission to:
• take a photo of him/her
• borrow his/her umbrella
• ask him/her some questions about his/her parents
3) Ask your classmate to:
• buy you a coffee
• help you with homework
• give you some advice
Page by Allyson Marceau