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Lesson 29 of 240

New here? This is lesson 29 of a free 240-lesson English course.

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Can I? in English

Ana is at the Blue Plate again. The counter is busy, and one stool next to Murray looks empty.

She wants to sit there, but it is his second stool. She needs to ask first.

By the end, you'll ask Can I and May I, and you'll hear yes or no.

May I is the polite ask. Can I is the everyday one you use with friends and at the diner.

By the end of this lesson

Ask if you may do something, and answer yes or no.

  • Can I ___?Is it okay for me to do this?
  • May I ___?a more polite way to ask Can I
  • Yes, you can.I give you permission.
  • Sure, go ahead.Yes; do it now.
  • No, sorry.I do not give permission.
  • That's okay.Yes, that is allowed.

Scene — the empty stool

The Blue Plate is busy this morning. Ana stands by the counter. One red stool next to Murray is empty.

Murray sits on one stool. His coffee sits on the counter. The jukebox by the door stays quiet.

Dee watches from the coffee pot. Ana wants that stool, but she does not sit yet.

Ana stands by the counter while Dee tends the coffee pot and Murray sits beside an empty red stool.

Learn — can I and may I

Six short lines cover how to ask and how to answer.

You'll also learn Can I, May I, and the ways to say yes or no.

  1. Ana gets Murray’s attention and asks if she may sit on the empty stool.

    Can I ___?

    Is it okay for me to do this?

    When to use it: Say this to ask if you may do something.

    Learn it as one piece and fill the blank.

    Say it: Can often sounds short before I.

  2. Ana makes a more polite request while standing with open palms.

    May I ___?

    a more polite way to ask Can I

    When to use it: Say this when you want a more polite ask.

    Learn it as one piece, the polite ask.

  3. Murray gives Ana permission to take the empty stool with an inviting gesture.

    Yes, you can.

    I give you permission.

    When to use it: Say this to let someone do the thing.

    Learn it as one piece when you say yes.

  4. Dee gives Ana a friendly go-ahead and invites her to sit.

    Sure, go ahead.

    Yes; do it now.

    When to use it: Say this as a friendly yes so they can start.

    Learn it as one piece, a warm everyday yes.

  5. Ana gestures toward the full coffee cup and asks if she may take it.

    No, sorry.

    I do not give permission.

    When to use it: Say this when you cannot let them do it.

    Learn it as one piece when you say no.

  6. Murray refuses Ana’s request about the full cup with a calm stop-palm gesture.

    That's okay.

    Yes, that is allowed.

    When to use it: Say this when the thing they want is fine.

    Learn it as one piece to say it is fine.

Story — he does not move

Watch Ana ask for the empty stool. Murray does not move, but he says she can sit.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. Ana stops by the empty red stool.
  2. AnaExcuse me. Can I sit here?She gets his attention and asks if she may sit.
  3. MurraySure, go ahead.Yes; do it now.
  4. He stays on his stool. His coffee stays on the counter.
  5. AnaMay I take this stool?a more polite way to ask Can I
  6. MurrayYes, you can.I give you permission.
  7. DeeThat's okay, hon. Have a seat.Yes, that is allowed, and please sit.
  8. Ana looks at the full cup on the counter.
  9. AnaCan I move your coffee?Is it okay for me to do this?
  10. MurrayNo, sorry.I do not give permission.

Practice — yes or no

Ten quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay tiny, so the round moves fast.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    Can I ___?Drop the Simple English here
    May I ___?Drop the Simple English here
    Yes, you can.Drop the Simple English here
    No, sorry.Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You ask Mr. Kowalski if you may leave a box in the hall.

  4. What does it mean?

    No, sorry.

  5. Fill the gap

    Yes; do it now.

    Sure, go ____.

  6. Build the line

    I give you permission.

    , .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Ana says:

    Can I sit here?

    Is it okay for me to do this?

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    Someone asks if they may sit. You say that is allowed.

    That's ____.

  9. What do you say?

    You need Murray to look at you before you ask for the stool.

  10. True or false?

    This line asks if you may sit.

Say it — ask first

Now you're Ana at the counter. You want the empty stool. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. DeeHave a seat, hon.please sit down
  2. Ana (you)Ask Murray if you may use the empty stool.

    Can I ___?

    Is it okay for me to do this?

0 of 3 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
Can I ___?Is it okay for me to do this?
May I ___?a more polite way to ask Can I
Yes, you can.I give you permission.
Sure, go ahead.Yes; do it now.
No, sorry.I do not give permission.
That's okay.Yes, that is allowed.
Next: lesson 30What's allowed

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

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A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your asks ready for the counter.

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