English - Permission

Lesson 20 of 139

A friendly English learning scene about asking for permission in a shared public space. A learner checks a sign and asks politely before taking photos.

Goal: Ask first, answer kindly, and avoid awkward “oops” moments.

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

Welcome back! Today you’ll learn simple phrases for checking rules and giving permission politely.

Permission language is small but powerful. It helps you ask before you act—and keeps the Yak from getting shooed out of quiet places.

Level A1: In this lesson, you’ll practice asking if permission is needed, asking who to ask, and saying what is or isn’t allowed. You’ll also learn polite ways to say yes and to ask someone not to do something. These phrases are useful in offices, schools, hotels, parks, and shared spaces.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Ask if you need permission before doing something.
  • Find the right person to ask for permission.
  • Give or deny permission with short, polite English phrases.
An English learner in a library asks if they need permission before using a study room. The scene supports beginner permission phrases.

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.

Do I need permission to ___?

Ask if permission is necessary

Meaning: Ask if permission is necessary.

When to use: Use this before doing something when rules may matter. Examples: “Do I need permission to take photos?” “Do I need permission to use this room?”

Tip: Use the base verb after “to”: “to park,” “to enter,” “to use.”

Do I need permission to take photos?
Ask if taking photos needs approval.
Do I need permission to use this room?
Ask if using the room needs approval.

Who can I ask?

Ask who can give permission

Meaning: Ask who can give permission.

When to use: Use this when you do not know the correct person to ask. Examples: “Who can I ask?” “This door is locked. Who can I ask?”

Who can I ask?
Ask which person can help or give permission.
This door is locked. Who can I ask?
Ask who can help with permission to enter.

You can ___ here.

Give permission for an action

Meaning: Give permission for an action in this place.

When to use: Use this to tell someone an action is okay here. Examples: “You can sit here.” “You can wait here.”

You can sit here.
Give permission to sit in this place.
You can wait here.
Give permission to wait in this place.

It's allowed.

State that something is permitted

Meaning: Say that something is permitted.

When to use: Use this as a short yes-answer about rules. Examples: “Yes, it’s allowed.” “Taking photos is okay. It’s allowed.”

Tip: “Allowed” has an -ed ending, but it means “permitted” now.

Yes, it’s allowed.
Confirm that something is permitted.
Taking photos is okay. It’s allowed.
Say the rule allows taking photos.

It's not allowed.

State that something is not permitted

Meaning: Say that something is not permitted.

When to use: Use this when a rule says no. Examples: “It’s not allowed.” “Smoking here is not allowed.”

It’s not allowed.
Say that something is forbidden or not permitted.
Smoking here is not allowed.
Say the rule does not permit smoking here.

Please don't ___.

Ask someone not to do something

Meaning: Ask someone not to do something.

When to use: Use this to stop an action politely. Examples: “Please don’t smoke here.” “Please don’t take photos.”

Tip: After “don’t,” use the base verb: “don’t run,” not “don’t running.”

Please don’t smoke here.
Politely ask someone not to smoke in this place.
Please don’t take photos.
Politely ask someone not to take photos.

Yes, of course.

Giving permission politely

Meaning: Give permission politely.

When to use: Use this as a warm yes when someone asks for permission. Examples: “Yes, of course.” “Yes, of course. You can sit here.”

Yes, of course.
Give a polite yes.
Yes, of course. You can sit here.
Give permission politely and clearly.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna is visiting David’s office and wants to take a photo of the lobby.

Anna and David talk politely about what is allowed in a quiet office area. The scene shows English phrases for permission and rules.

Is taking photos allowed in the office lobby?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Do I need permission to take photos here?

Anna asks if she needs approval to take photos.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Yes, you do. It’s not allowed in the office area.

David says photos are not permitted in the office area.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Who can I ask?

Anna asks who can give permission.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

You can ask the front desk. You can take photos here in the lobby.

David says the front desk can help and gives permission for the lobby.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Great. So in the lobby, it’s allowed?

Anna checks that photos are permitted in the lobby.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Yes, of course. But please don’t take photos of people.

David gives polite permission but asks her not to photograph people.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

You want to know if you need approval before using a meeting room. What do you say?

Someone asks, “Can I sit here?” You want to give a polite yes. What can you say?

You do not know the correct person for permission. What do you ask?

A sign says “No smoking.” What can you say?

Anna asks if she needs permission to take photos.

Anna: I want to take photos in the museum. ___ David: Please ask at the desk first.

Anna gives David permission to wait in this place.

David: Can I wait in this chair? Anna: Yes. ___

David says eating in the quiet room is not permitted.

Anna: Can I eat in this quiet room? David: Sorry, ___. Please eat outside.

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:

Do I need permission to ___?

Ask if permission is necessary.

Say this phrase out loud:

Who can I ask?

Ask who can give permission.

Say this phrase out loud:

You can ___ here.

Give permission for an action.

Say this phrase out loud:

It's allowed.

State that something is permitted.

Say this phrase out loud:

It's not allowed.

State that something is not permitted.

Say this phrase out loud:

Please don't ___.

Ask someone not to do something.

Say this phrase out loud:

Yes, of course.

Give permission politely.