U1 L2 Interactive Resource

Formal Ways to Ask for Permission

Used in professional, academic, or official contexts:

• "May I…?" → "May I leave early today?"
• "Would it be possible to…?" → "Would it be possible to reschedule our meeting?"
• "Do you mind if I…?" → "Do you mind if I open the window?"

These structures help to maintain politeness, which is crucial when dealing with strangers or authority figures.

Informal Ways to Ask for Permission

Used in casual conversations:

• "Can I…?" → "Can I borrow your pen?"
• "Is it okay if…?" → "Is it okay if I sit here?"
• "Do you mind if…?" → "Do you mind if I take a bite of your dessert?"

Michael’s revised request, "Would it be okay if I take a picture of you?", was a formal and appropriate way to ask for permission in an informal setting.

Granting Permission

In Michael’s situation, the musician granted permission with a condition:

• "Of course, friend. But if you give me a tip, I’ll pose for you with pleasure."

This response highlights another important point: sometimes, permission is not freely given but comes with an expectation (a tip in this case).

Denying Permission

When permission is denied, softening the refusal can prevent offense. Here are some ways to do it:

The street musician’s initial answer ("Amigo, ¿me preguntas antes de tomar la foto?") was a soft denial—he didn’t outright refuse, but he indicated that permission should be asked first. Had Michael insisted without apologizing, the musician might have refused more directly.