English - Permission

Lesson 19 of 139

A learner politely asking for permission in English at a café counter. The scene shows everyday English learning for permission and rules.

Goal: Ask first, answer kindly, and feel ready in shared spaces.

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Welcome back! Today you’ll practice small questions that can save you from big awkward moments.

Level A1: In this lesson, you’ll ask for permission with phrases like “Can I ___?”, “May I ___?”, and “Is it okay if I ___?” You’ll also practice checking rules with “Is ___ allowed?” and answering with friendly yes or polite no phrases. Tiny questions, mighty power—very Yak Yacker.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Ask for permission to do something using “Can I ___?” and “May I ___?”
  • Ask for permission for a group using “Can we ___?”
  • Check rules in a place using “Is ___ allowed?”, “Are ___ allowed?”, and “Is it allowed here?”
  • Give or refuse permission with short, clear answers like “Sure, go ahead.” and “No, sorry.”
Two people looking at a sign in a public place and checking what is allowed. This supports English phrases for asking permission.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Can I ___?

Asking for permission to do something

Meaning: Asking for permission to do something

When to use: Use this before you do an action. Examples: “Can I sit here?” “Can I open the window?”

Tip: Use the base verb after “Can I”: say “Can I sit?” not “Can I to sit?”

Can I sit here?
Asking permission to sit in this place.
Can I open the window?
Asking permission to open the window.

Can we ___?

Asking for permission for a group to do something

Meaning: Asking for permission for a group to do something

When to use: Use this when you and another person want permission together. Examples: “Can we sit here?” “Can we come in?”

Can we sit here?
Asking permission for your group to sit here.
Can we come in?
Asking permission for your group to enter.

May I ___?

Asking for permission politely

Meaning: Asking for permission politely

When to use: Use this when you want to sound a little more polite, especially with staff or in public places. Examples: “May I come in?” “May I ask a question?”

May I come in?
Politely asking permission to enter.
May I ask a question?
Politely asking permission to ask something.

Is it okay if I ___?

Checking if an action is allowed

Meaning: Checking if an action is allowed

When to use: Use this soft question when you are not sure if something is okay. Examples: “Is it okay if I sit here?” “Is it okay if I call you later?”

Tip: Keep the full phrase: “Is it okay if I…?” sounds softer than only “I sit here?”

Is it okay if I sit here?
Checking if sitting here is allowed.
Is it okay if I call you later?
Checking if calling later is okay.

Can I use ___?

Asking for permission to use something

Meaning: Asking for permission to use something

When to use: Use this for objects, rooms, tools, phones, bathrooms, or Wi-Fi. Examples: “Can I use your phone?” “Can I use the bathroom?”

Can I use your phone?
Asking permission to use someone’s phone.
Can I use the bathroom?
Asking permission to use the bathroom.

Can I take ___?

Asking for permission to take something

Meaning: Asking for permission to take something

When to use: Use this before you take, carry away, or bring something with you. Examples: “Can I take this chair?” “Can I take a photo?”

Can I take this chair?
Asking permission to take or move the chair.
Can I take a photo?
Asking permission to take a picture.

Yes, you can.

Giving permission clearly

Meaning: Giving permission clearly

When to use: Use this to say yes to a permission question. Examples: “Yes, you can.” “Yes, you can use it.”

Yes, you can.
A clear yes to permission.
Yes, you can use it.
A clear yes with extra information.

Sure, go ahead.

Giving permission in a friendly way

Meaning: Giving permission in a friendly way

When to use: Use this when you want to sound relaxed and helpful. Examples: “Sure, go ahead.” “Sure, go ahead and sit down.”

Sure, go ahead.
A friendly yes.
Sure, go ahead and sit down.
A friendly yes with the action.

That's okay.

Saying that something is permitted or acceptable

Meaning: Saying that something is permitted or acceptable

When to use: Use this to say an action is fine or not a problem. Examples: “That’s okay.” “That’s okay, you can sit here.”

That’s okay.
Saying something is acceptable.
That’s okay, you can sit here.
Saying sitting here is fine.

No, sorry.

Refusing permission politely

Meaning: Refusing permission politely

When to use: Use this when the answer is no, but you want to be polite. Examples: “No, sorry.” “No, sorry, this seat is taken.”

No, sorry.
A polite no.
No, sorry, this seat is taken.
A polite no with a reason.

Is ___ allowed?

Ask whether something is permitted

Meaning: Ask whether something is permitted

When to use: Use this with one thing or one action. Examples: “Is smoking allowed?” “Is parking allowed?”

Tip: Use “Is” for one thing or one activity: “Is parking allowed?”

Is smoking allowed?
Asking if smoking is permitted.
Is parking allowed?
Asking if parking is permitted.

Are ___ allowed?

Ask whether multiple things or people are permitted

Meaning: Ask whether multiple things or people are permitted

When to use: Use this with plural things or people. Examples: “Are dogs allowed?” “Are children allowed?”

Tip: Use “Are” for more than one: “Are pets allowed?”

Are dogs allowed?
Asking if dogs are permitted.
Are children allowed?
Asking if children are permitted.

Is it allowed here?

Ask if an action is permitted in the current place

Meaning: Ask if an action is permitted in the current place

When to use: Use this when you are here now and want to know the rule. Examples: “Is it allowed here?” “Taking photos—is it allowed here?”

Is it allowed here?
Asking if the action is permitted in this place.
Taking photos—is it allowed here?
Asking if taking photos is permitted here.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David are in a small café with signs near the counter.

Anna and David talking in a café about using a chair, taking a menu, and checking if photos are allowed. The scene practices English permission questions.

What are Anna and David doing in the café?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Can I use this chair?

Anna asks permission to use a chair.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Sure, go ahead.

David says yes in a friendly way.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Can we sit by the window?

Anna asks permission for both of them to sit by the window.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

No, sorry. That table is reserved.

David politely says no and gives a reason.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

That’s okay. May I take this menu?

Anna accepts the answer and politely asks to take the menu.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Yes, you can.

David clearly gives permission.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Is it okay if I take a photo?

Anna checks if taking a photo is allowed.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Is it allowed here? Let’s check the sign.

David checks the rule in this place.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase asks for permission politely?

You and a friend want to enter a room. What can you ask?

Which answer gives permission in a friendly way?

You want to ask if pets can come into a hotel. Which frame fits best?

Anna points to David’s phone and asks: “Can I use ___?” David says, “Sure, go ahead.”

Anna points to David’s phone and asks: ___. David says, “Sure, go ahead.”

A sign says “No food inside.” Anna asks to bring a snack in. David answers: “No, sorry.”

A sign says “No food inside.” Anna asks to bring a snack in. David answers: ___.

At the museum entrance, Anna wants to know the rule about photos. She asks: “Is it allowed here?”

At the museum entrance, Anna wants to know the rule about photos. She asks: ___.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Can I ___?

Asking for permission to do something

Say this phrase out loud:

Can we ___?

Asking for permission for a group to do something

Say this phrase out loud:

May I ___?

Asking for permission politely

Say this phrase out loud:

Is it okay if I ___?

Checking if an action is allowed

Say this phrase out loud:

Can I use ___?

Asking for permission to use something

Say this phrase out loud:

Can I take ___?

Asking for permission to take something

Say this phrase out loud:

Yes, you can.

Giving permission clearly

Say this phrase out loud:

Sure, go ahead.

Giving permission in a friendly way

Say this phrase out loud:

That's okay.

Saying that something is permitted or acceptable

Say this phrase out loud:

No, sorry.

Refusing permission politely

Say this phrase out loud:

Is ___ allowed?

Ask whether something is permitted

Say this phrase out loud:

Are ___ allowed?

Ask whether multiple things or people are permitted

Say this phrase out loud:

Is it allowed here?

Ask if an action is permitted in the current place