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12.6 Permission: May, Could, and Can

Asking for Permission Answers
May we sit in these seats? I’m sorry. They’re taken.
Could I have your autograph? Sure. No problem.
Can I borrow your pen? Of course.

Expressing Permission
You may play video games after all your homework is done.
We can’t play video games until our homework is done.

1. Use may, could, or can + the base form of a May I sit here?
verb to ask for permission. Could he use this bike?
2. Can is less formal or polite than may or could. Hey Jim, can I borrow your bike?
May is the most formal. Doctor, may I call you at home?
3. Use may (not) or can (not) + the base form of a You may watch educational programs on TV.
verb to express what is or is not permitted. We cannot watch sitcoms or reality TV shows.
4. Be careful! When you use could to ask Could I use your car tomorrow?
permission, it does not refer to the past.
5. To answer questions using can, could, or may, A: Could my children stay at your house?
use can or may. Do not use could. Can is more B: Sure they can.
common. May is more formal.
A: May we go the library, Ms. Smith?
B: Yes, you may. Please return by 4:00.

4 Complete the exercises.

A Circle all possible answers to complete the conversations.

1. A: Hey, Jim, may / can / could I ride with you to the show?
B: Sure. I’ll pick you up around six.

2. A: Excuse me, Mr. Evans, may / can / could I have your autograph?

B: No, you may not / can’t / couldn’t. I’m afraid I’m in a hurry.
3. A: We may / can / could listen to Adele practice her new song. Her manager just said it

was OK. We may / can / could sit to the right, over here.
B: Great!

4. A: You may / can / could not go backstage tonight. The band is tired.

B: OK.

5. A: Sam, may / can / could I ask your opinion about my new song?
B: Of course, you may / can / could. Please play it for me.

6. A: Excuse me. You may / can / could not take photos here.

B: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.

338 ModAls: PArt 1
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