Permission: asking, giving and refusing

by | 1 Oct 2021 | General English, Grammar

Certain verb forms follow different phrases:

Can he/she + infinitive

 

 

Can she continue upgrading all the software as she is the best at doing this?

Can he think about anything else apart from food? 

 

_______

 

Can also works with other pronouns and nouns.

 

Can John take that call?

Can they make up their mind?

______

 

Could they + infinitive

 

Could they decide on your behalf?

Could they bring a cake to your party as you do not have one yet?

 

Could can sound more polite than can.

 

 

May I + infinitive

 

 

May I have an enormous piece of cake please?

May I go to the toilet?

_______

 

It is possible to change the pronoun for another or a noun

 

May Phillis take that decision?

May staff do what they think is best under the circumstances?

_______

 

Do you mind if I + infinitive/gerund

 

 

Do you mind if I open the window?

Do you mind giving me five minutes to arrive before we start the meeting?

 

Do you think I could + infinitive

 

Do you think I could speak?

Do you think I could switch off the air conditioning as it is freezing in here?

 

Is it OK if you + infinitive

 

Is it OK if you do the shopping today as I am feeling very tired?

Is it OK if you start the meeting as I will be 5 minutes late?

 

Would you mind if they/we + infinitive

 

Would you mind if we have class on Wednesday morning at 9am?

Would you mind if they organised the party?

 

______

 

 

Now it’s your turn.

 

What would you like to do?

What has someone suggested that you could do?

Who have you suggested to help somebody else?

 

_______

 

Online classes with a British CELTA qualified teacher.

We teach all levels of English to individuals and groups.

Click here to book classes.

Also visit our Facebook page for tips and news.

To Book A Free Trial ClassContact Us