How do you ask for permission in English?
And how do you say yes or no when someone asks you for permission?
In this free lesson, you’ll learn useful English phrases to:
- Ask for permission in everyday situations
- Say yes (or no) politely when people ask for permission
- Sound more polite and natural in real conversations
Asking for permission means asking someone if you can do something. We often ask strangers for permission, so it is important to be polite.
Let’s start with a real conversation that shows how to ask for and give permission in English.
Contents
Asking for permission: example dialogue
Jim needs to get past someone, travel through a gate, and find a seat on a train. Listen to how he asks for permission – and how others respond.
Listen
Listen to the conversation. Try to notice each time someone asks for permission or says yes.
Dialogue transcript
Read the full conversation below. These are real-life English phrases you can use to ask for and give permission.
Jim: Hi, sorry, can I get past please?
Jim: Hey, I’m really sorry, but I’m in a bit of a rush – could I possibly just squeeze past you? Is that OK?
Stranger: Sure, no worries, mate.
Jim: Oh thanks. Thank you so much.
—
Jim: (to station attendant) Excuse me, I’ve got a bike. Is it OK if I go through this way?
Station attendant: Yeah, sure.
—
Jim: (to a passenger on the train) Sorry, do you mind if I sit here?
Passenger: I’m sorry?
Jim: Is this seat free? Is it OK if I sit here?
Passenger: Oh, yeah – sure. Go ahead!
Jim: Well, would you mind moving your bag, please?
Passenger: I’m sorry?
Jim: Your bag. Do you think you could possibly move it, please?
Passenger: Oh, sorry, yeah, no problem. There you go!
Jim: Ah! That’s better.
Phrase guide: asking for and giving permission
Here’s a breakdown of the phrases from the dialogue.
Asking if something is OK
These phrases all mean “Can I do this?”
- Can I get past, please?
- Could I possibly just squeeze past you?
- Is it OK if I go through this way?
- Do you mind if I sit here?
- Is this seat free?
- Would you mind moving your bag, please?
- Do you think you could possibly move it, please?
You can also say:
- Could I possibly …?
- Do you think I could …?
- Would it be OK if I …?
- Is anyone sitting here?
Saying yes to permission requests
These phrases all mean “Yes, that’s fine.”
- Sure.
- No worries.
- Yeah, sure.
- Go ahead.
- No problem.
- There you go! (when moving something for someone)
You can also say:
- Be my guest.
- Of course.
- Help yourself.
- That’s absolutely fine.
Example questions
- What’s a polite way to ask someone to move something?
- What’s another way to ask if a seat is free?
- What’s a casual way to say “Yes, that’s fine”?
More useful phrases to ask for and give permission
Use these extra phrases to improve your speaking and sound more natural when you talk about permission in English.
Extra expressions
| Phrase | Plain English |
|---|---|
| Do you mind if I …? | Is it OK if I …? |
| Would it be OK if I left a bit early? | Can I leave early? |
| Can I have a look, please? | Can you show me? |
| I’m afraid I have to leave early. | I need to go soon – is that OK? |
Pattern focus: polite request structures
Many polite requests use question forms with modal verbs like “could” and “would”. These help you sound more respectful and less direct.
Common patterns:
- Could I possibly…?
- Do you mind if I…?
- Would it be OK if I…?
- Do you think you could…?
These patterns help you ask permission without sounding rude. They’re common in both formal and everyday English.
Exercises
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
- Do you mind if I sit here?
- Could I possibly use your phone?
- No worries.
- Would it be OK if I left now?
- Go ahead.
a. Yes, you can.
b. Is it OK if I go now?
c. Can I sit here?
d. That’s not a problem.
e. Can I use your phone?
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: Can I sit here?
- A: Would you mind moving your bag?
- A: Is it OK if I go through here?
a. Sure, no worries.
b. Oh, sorry! There you go.
c. Yeah, go ahead.
3. Finish the sentence (speaking practice)
Complete the sentence, then try saying it aloud.
- Do you mind if I …
- Would it be OK if I …
- Could I possibly …
Answer key
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
- Do you mind if I sit here? → c. Can I sit here?
- Could I possibly use your phone? → e. Can I use your phone?
- No worries. → d. That’s not a problem.
- Would it be OK if I left now? → b. Is it OK if I go now?
- Go ahead. → a. Yes, you can.
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: Can I sit here? → c. Yeah, go ahead.
- A: Would you mind moving your bag? → b. Oh, sorry! There you go.
- A: Is it OK if I go through here? → a. Sure, no worries.
3. Finish the sentence (possible examples)
- Do you mind if I ask you something?
- Would it be OK if I left my bag here?
- Could I possibly use your charger for a bit??
