Sentence Structure When Asking

Permission
Can I borrow your tab?
May I go to the comfort room?
Excuse me, Ma'am,
Could you open the window?
Can you buy me some snacks, Kuya?
Can I have a glass of water?
Could you say that again, please?
Do you mind if I turn the TV on?
Is it OK if I make a phone call?
Could you move over, please?

Practice the following conversation with a partner.

Estela: Rica, our Fund-Raising Campaign is on Saturday. We
need to prepare the venue for it. Could you help me plan for the
sitting arrangement?
Rica: Sure, Estela. We need chairs to make five rows of ten
seats.
Estela: Do you think the principal will lend us some chairs?
Rica: I think he will since this is a school activity. Let's go and
ask him.
Estela: Good morning, Ma'am Yuson. May we borrow 50 chairs
for the for the upcoming Fundraising Campaign this coming
Saturday?
Mrs. Yuson: Sure. You may inform Mang Domeng so that he can
help you
arrange the chairs. Before you go, girls, would you mind picking
up
those plastic wrappers on the ground?
Estela and Rica: No problem, Ma'am Yuson, and Thank you.
 Sentence Structure when asking
Permission
Can I + Verb (very informal)
Can I go out tonight?
Can he have a dinner with us?

May I + Verb (formal)

May I have another piece?
May I dance with you?

Could + noun/Pronoun + Please+ verb

Could we please visit my friend next week?
Could I please go with Isaac for a basketball game?
She, he, they, I, we

Assignment: ½
Make 3 example for each sentence pattern.
a. Can I + Verb (very informal)
b. May I + Verb (formal)
c. Could + noun/Pronoun + Please+ verb

Do you think + noun/pronoun+ could +verb

Do you think I could use your phone?
Do you think she could eat with us?

Would it be possible for + noun/pronoun+ infinitive

Would it be possible for me to use your computer for a few
minutes?
Would it be possible for me to study in this room with you?
Would it be possible for her to climb the tree?
Would it be possible for Grizzy to keep the fruits?

Would you mind if+ noun/pronoun+ verb in the past

Would you mind if I stayed a few more minutes?
Would you mind if she took the order on your behalf?
Would you mind if Elena washed the dishes?

Would you mind+ noun/pronoun + (verb+ ing)

Would you mind my using of your phone?
 Would you mind her/him cooking of food from your fridge?
Would you mind Lisa going to school on Saturday?

Phrases you may use when:

Granting Permission Refusing a favor
Sure I’m afraid I prefer that you don’t
No problem Unfortunately, I need to say no
Go right ahead Sorry, but I’d rather not do that
Name: Date:
A. Match the situations in Column A, and the appropriate responses are listed in Column B. Write
the letter of your choice on our answer sheet.
Column A Column B
1.You want to go to the comfort room. A. Can I borrow your tab?
2.You want to borrow a book B. May I go to the comfort room?
3.You want to borrow the tab from your sister C. Excuse me, Ma'am, May I borrow a book?
4.You want your brother D. Could you open the window?
to buy you snacks for recess.
5.You want the windows to be opened. E. Can you buy me some snacks, Kuya?
6. You want to make a phone call F. Can I have a glass of water?
7. You want to watch TV G. Could you say that again, please?
8. You want to request your classmate to H. Do you mind if I turn the TV on?
make a room for you.
9. You have not heard your Ate talking to you I. Is it OK if I make a phone call?
10. You want to have a glass of water J. Could you move over, please?

B. Directions: Read the conversations below and fill in the gaps with the words and phrases from
the lists.
Do you mind if I Is it OK if I could you turn can I borrow
do you here you are go ahead telling
me
Conversation 1
Pedro: Ryan, (1) ______________ have your mobile phone with you?
Ryan: Um... yes. Why?
Pedro: (2) ___________________it, please? I need to make a quick call to my father.
Ryan: OK, (3) ___________________.
Conversation 2
A: I’m sorry, (1) _________________ leave early today? I'm going to take my dog to see the vet.
B: You're going to take your dog to the vet? What's the matter with him?
A: Her. I don't know. That's why I'm going to take her to the vet's clinic.
B: Oh, I see. Sure, (2) _______. Thanks for (3) _____________________

C. Directions: Choose the most appropriate answer for expressing the idea specified in
parentheses.
1. _____________ speak to Mr. Dela Rosa, please? (Formal polite asking for permission)
A. Can I B. May I C. Could you D. Would you mind
2. ____________open the door, please? It's hot in here. (Polite making request)
A. Could you B. Couldn't I C. Can I D. Would you mind if I
3. Would you mind if I ____________ your dictionary for an hour or so? (Polite asking for
permission)
A. borrow B. lend C. borrowed D. borrowing
4. ________________ me to write an e-mail for you? (Offering help)
 A. Can you help B. Would you help C. Do you mind if D. Would you like
5._________ you move this chair for me? (Informal Asking permission)
A. Could B. Would C. Can D. May
D. Multiple-Choice Quiz: Sentence Structure in Asking for Permission
Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.
1. ______ I borrow your pencil, please?
a) Can b) Should c) Must d) Will
2. Do you ______ if I open the window?
a) care b) matter c) mind d) think
3. ______ I use your phone to make a quick call?
a) Would b) Can c) Should d) Might
4. Would it be ______ if I left class a little early today?
a) okay b) possible c) acceptable d) fine
5. ______ I sit here, or is this seat taken?
a) Will b) Could c) Can d) May
6. ______ I turn the music down? It’s quite loud.
a) May b) Could c) Can d) Shall
7. Do you ______ me using your charger for a moment?
a) allow b) let c) mind d) accept
8. ______ it be okay if I brought a friend to the party?
a) Could b) Would c) Might d) Should
9. ______ I ask you a personal question, if you don’t mind?
a) May b) Shall c) Will d) Might
10. Is it all right if I ______ your notes from yesterday’s lecture?
a) borrow b) lend c) take d) give
Directions: Complete the dialogue with an appropriate sentence structure on asking,
granting, and denying permission or favor.
1. Teresa: Hello, _____________________________?
(do you think + pronoun + could + verb)
Juana: _____________________________. (permission granted)
Teresa: Thanks. It will not take long.
Juana: Take your time. No rush.

2. Pupil: _____________________________?
(asking the teacher if she could go to the canteen to buy her snacks)
Teacher: _____________________________. (permission granted)
Pupil: Thank you, Ma’am.

3. Daughter: _____________________________?
(asking permission to attend the birthday party of her classmate)
Mother: It’s too risky to go out nowadays because of the pandemic. Mass gathering is
prohibited. I’m sorry _____________________________ (permission denied)
Daughter: Mom, please….
Mother: It is safer to stay at home and do some productive activities

Directions: How do you ask permission in the following situation? Write your answer
on the blank.
1. You need the help of a friend to look for your lost wallet. (Formal polite)
_____________________________________________________________________
2. You didn't understand the address someone gave you, and you would like them to
spell it for you.
_____________________________________________________________________
3. You are watching the TV but you can’t hear because the volume is very low. Your
friend has the remote control.
_____________________________________________________________________
4. You would like someone to take a photo of you and your friend in front of a famous
monument.
_____________________________________________________________________
5. You want to use the blue tooth speaker of your sister for your Zumba practice.
____________________________________________________________________