L 8 : Ask Nicely

  • November 12, 2022
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Join us on L 8 : Ask Nicely! ! It's FREE 🙂

Introduction

Work with a partner. Look at the pictures and read the situations.
What would you say in each situation?

Speaking course
Speaking Course

Listening

Listen to four conversations.
Write letters to match the situations in activity 1 with the conversations.

Conversation

 Situation

1

C

2

3

4












Write the sentences in the correct places in the table below.

Write the sentences in the correct places in the table below.

Can I borrow your car?
Could I sleep on your sofa tonight?
I’m sorry, but I need the car tomorrow.
No, sorry. I want to watch the end of the film.
Is it OK if I watch the football?
May I use your phone?
Sure. No problem.
Yes, of course. Here you are.

Conversation

asking for permission

response

1

Could I sleep on your sofa tonight?

Sure. No problem.

2

3

4


Language Focus

We can use the following expressions to ask for permission:

Can I
Could I
May I                                      +base form of the verb
Is it OK if I   

Can I borrow your car?
Could I sleep on your sofa tonight?
May I use your phone?
Is it OK if I watch the football?

We can use the following expressions when we give permission:

Sure. No problem.
Yes, of course.

We can use the following expressions when we refuse permission. We often give a reason.

No, sorry. (I want to watch the end of the film.)
* I’m sorry, but… (I need the car tomorrow.)    ( * This expression needs a reason.)

Write the words in the correct order to ask for permission.

1 I / window / the / can / open         Can I open the window?
2 I / rubber / could / your / borrow
        ?
3 OK / is / listen to music / if / it / I
         ?
4 I / toilet / the / use / may
         ?
5 here / sit / I / can
         ?

b. Write numbers to match the requests from the previous activity with the responses below.

a.  No, sorry. My friend’s using that chair.       
b. Sure. No problem. It’s hot in here.   
c. Yes, of course. It’s upstairs.
d. I’m sorry, but this is a quiet area.               
e. Sure. Here you are.   

Time to Talk

You are going to do four role-plays asking for permission.
Work in two groups, A and B. 

Group A:

Role-play 1
Your partner and you are on a business trip together.
You are sitting on the train with your partner, reading a magazine.
Listen to what your partner says and refuse permission.
(You are reading a story in the magazine.)

Group B : 

Role play 2

Role-play 3
 You have a house with a big garden. Your partner is your neighbour.
 Your partner comes and knocks on your door.
Answer your door. Listen to what your partner says and refuse permission.
(You are leaving for work right now.)