Asking Permission

A big black bug bit a

big black dog on his big
black nose!
Conversation 1:
John and Sandra are a couple
on a holiday in Paris and John goes
up to a stranger.
John: Excuse me, sorry to bother
you, would you mind taking our
picture?
Stranger: No, not at all. Where would
you like to stand?
Sandra: Here’s fine. In front of the
Eifel Tower.
Stanger: Great, Say cheese.
Conversation 2:
Paul needs to ask his boss for
permission to leave work early the
next day:
Paul: Mr. Clark.
Mr. Clark: Hi Paul, is everything ok?
Paul: Yes, thanks. It’s just, do you
mind if I leave early tomorrow? I
need to take my sister to the airport.
Mr. Clark: No, of course not. That’s
fine.
Paul: Thanks.
Conversation 3:
Harry needs to make a call but his
phone battery is flat. He’s with his
friend Bill.
Harry: Oh no, my phone’s dead. Is it
OK if I use yours? To call Carol.
Bill: Yeah sure. Go ahead. How are
you and Carol getting on?
Harry: Cheers. Not bad, not bad at
all.
Conversation 4:
Pat and Anne are classmates.
Pat’s pen runs out.
Pat: My pen’s run out. Could I
borrow one of yours?
Anne: Sure. Here you are.
Pat: Thanks.
Few ways to ask permission or make
a request. (Actual Questions)

•“Would you mind taking our

picture?”
•“Do you mind if I leave early
tomorrow?”
•“Is it Ok if I use your phone?”
•“Could I borrow one of yours?”
Other Languages for Asking
Permissions:
•Can I borrow your pencil?
•Could she take the day off
tomorrow?
•May I have a piece of cake,
please?
•Would it be alright if they have
one of your sandwiches?
Some languages for accepting
permissions:

•Sure.
•Yes, certainly.
•No, go ahead.
•By all means.
•Not at all.
Some languages for refusing
permissions:

•Sorry but ….
•I’m afraid …
•I’d rather you didn’t …
Decide which of these is the correct
question in asking permission.
1. Two strangers in a train.
a. “It’s quite hot in here. Do you
mind if I open the window?”
b. “It’s quite hot in here. Can you
open the window?”

2.Two colleagues at work.

a. “I forgot my pen today. Can I
use yours for the day?
b. “I forgot my pen today. Give me
one of yours for the day.”
3. At a restaurant: “Excuse me but
do you mind if I take this chair?’
a. “Yes, sure.”
b. “No, not at all.”

4. A man to his neighbor:

a. “Sorry Mike but your music is a
little too loud. Could you keep it
down please? It’s late and I have to
get up early tomorrow
b. “Sorry to bother you but it’s
almost midnight and I have to get up
early. Do you mind keeping the music
down?”.
5. A tourist in a city:
a. “Excuse me. Could you tell me
how to get to the city centre?”
b. “Excuse me. How do I get to
the city centre.”
Work by Pair! Make a
conversation.

ASK PERMISSION TO:

•skip school for a day.
•use someone's car for the day
•use someone's cell or smart
phone
•use someone’s computer
Choose the best option to complete
each dialogue. Write the letter of the
correct answer.
1. A: Excuse me. _____________________.
B: No, I don’t.
a. Are you here by yourself?
b. Do you mind if I sit down here?
c. Have you been sitting here long?
d. Do the librarians know you?
2. A: May I borrow your bike, please?
B: __________. But don’t forget to
return it to me.
a. Just a minute.
b. No, nothing.
c. Certainly.
d. Yes, I wouldn’t mind.
3. A: Do you mind if I come with
you?
B: ___________. Get in.
a. No, of course not.
b. No, I would.
c. I don’t need your help.
d. Yes, I don’t mind.
4. Situation: You are at a friend’s
house and you want to use her
phone. What do you say?
You: __________________________.
Your friend: Go right ahead.
a. Will you help me with this?
b. Would you mind if I use your
telephone, please?
c. Can I lend you my phone?
d. I want to use your phone, ok?
5. A: Could I use your pen for a
minute, please?
B: __________________________________.
a. Sure, I’m sorry. I’m using it at the
moment.
b. Of course.
c. Well, please do.
d. Thanks very much.
Assignment:

Write a conversation about

asking permission to do
something. Write it in ½ sheet
of paper.