Asking for and giving permission

MAY 18
Posted by NaSuHa

In asking and giving permission politely, you can use can, could or may. Below
are some tips on how you can use these modal auxiliaries;
Can
You use can to ask for or giving permission. Can is less formal than could or
may.
For example:

Asking for permission

Giving/ refusing permission

Can I go to KLCC tomorrow, dad?

Yes, you can but you need to finish your

homework before you go.

Can I use your handphone, Ita?

Im sorry you cant because Ive left it at

home.

Can we go now, Miss Nor?

Yes, you can/ No, you cant.

Could
You use could to ask for and give permission. It is more polite than can. It is also
used to show permission given in the past.
For example:

Asking for permission

Giving/ refusing permission

Could I give my opinion?

Yes, you could/ No, you couldnt.

Could we go back earlier, Miss Akeena?

Yes, you could.

When you were small, could you watch

No, I couldnt. I could watch television

television every night?

from 5.00 p.m. till 6.30 p.m. during

weekdays.

May
You use may in a formal situation when you ask for and give permission.
For example:

Asking for permission

Giving/ refusing permission

Miss Afsyah, may I ask a question?

Yes, you may.

May I submit the assignment tomorrow?

Im sorry. Everyone must submit it today.

May I see you at 5.00 p.m. today, Miss

Kate? I need to discuss my project paper.

Yes, you may. Ill be in my office from 2.00

p.m. to 6.00 p.m. today.

Making and responding to apologies

An apology is usually made when you feel regret on something that you have done.
The simplest and the most common way of apologising are by saying sorry.
However, the way you apologise and response to it depends on the degree of
formality of the situation that you are in.
In a formal situation

Apologising

Responding to apology

I would like to apologise for.

Your apology is accepted

Forgive me. Im terribly sorry about.

Thats quite alright! / Thats alright.

Please accept my apologies.

Apologies are accepted!

I apologise for

It doesnt matter/ Its not your fault.

I beg your pardon.

I understand completely.

In an informal situation

Apologising

Responding to apology

Sorry. I didnt mean to

Thats / its okay.

Im sorry about that.

Not to worry.

It was wrong of me. Im sorry.

Forget it.

I cant tell you how sorry I am for/ about

Never mind.

adapted from Aida Mustapha.2011.Be Empowered in English: A

coursebook: Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd.