Chapter 5

Asking for and Giving Permission

Is an expression that you can use to ask permission more politely. Usually used for
people you just know or people who are older. When you ask for permission to use something
that belongs to someone else you have to do your best to be polite. It is wise for us to ask
permission when we want to start to use something that belongs to someone else or we want to
do something, misalnya jika kita ingin meninggalkan ruang kelas ketika pembelajaran
berlangsung, kita perlu meminta izin guru. Jangan lupa untuk menggunakan kata "Tolong" dalam
meminta izin untuk melakukan sesuatu untuk membuatnya lebih sopan. Kata "tolong" dapat
diletakkan di tempat yang berbeda dalam kalimat, bisa di awal, di akhir atau sebelum kata kerja.

Ways of Asking and giving permission

The most usual and generaly way of
Can I ... ? asking permission. (Cara paling
umum untuk meminta izin)
A more formal and polite way of
asking permission. (Cara yang lebih
May I ...?
formal dan sopan untuk meminta
izin)
Used when asking permission, for
showing you don't want to interrupt
Would it be all right / if/ Is it all right or annoy someone. (Digunakan saat
if Do you mind if ... meminta izin, untuk menunjukkan
bahwa Anda tidak inginmengganggu
seseorang)
The most usual and generaly way of
You Can giving permission. (Cara paling
umum untuk memberi izin)
A more formal and polite way of
giving permission. (Cara yang lebih
By all means / Of course / Certainly
formal dan sopan dalam memberikan
izin)
Used when you can't see any reason
to prevent someone from doing
I don't see why not something. (Digunakan ketika Anda
tidak dapat melihat alasan untuk
mencegah seseorang melakukan

Go ahead / Feel Free
Help Yourself
If you (really) must
Asking for Permission :
Asking for Permission
Can I go out, please ?
May I open the window, please
? possible.
Please, can I have a look at
your photo album ?
Please, may I taste that hot
spicy noodle ?
Do You mind if smoke ?
Would you mind if I asked you
something ?
sesuatu)
Used informally for making someone
feel comfortable about doing
something. (Digunakan secara
informal untuk membuat seseorang
merasa nyaman melakukan sesuatu)
Used informally for giving someone
permission to have or use something,
especially food or drink. (Digunakan
secara informal untuk memberi izin
kepada seseorang untuk memiliki
atau menggunakan sesuatu, terutama
makanan atau minuman)
Used for giving someone permission
to do something, even though you
dont really want them to do it.
(Digunakan untuk memberi izin
kepada seseorang untuk melakukan
sesuatu, meskipun Anda tidak benar-
benar ingin mereka melakukannya)
Giving Permission Refusing to give
Permission
Yes Yes, please do. No, please don’t.
Sure, go ahead. I’m sorry, but that’s not
No problem. I’m afraid, but you can’t.
Please feel free. I’m affraid that’s not possible.
I’m afraid I’d prefer if you
did’nt.
Sorry, but I’d rather you not do
that.
Is it okay if I sit here ?
Would it be all right if I
borrowed your mobile Phone?

Example of a Conversation About Asking for Permission

Gibran, seven years old, is asking his father for permission to use the mobile phone.
Gibran : Please daddy, can I use the mobile phone ?

His Father: No, dear you can’t. It’s time to goto bed.

Gibran: May I read a story before I sleep ?

His Father: Sure ! But try to sleep early.

Gibran: Thanks a lot mummy.

 Questions
1. Tina : May I come to your house this afternoon ?
Sasa : ...... I’m going to grandma’s house this afternoon. Maybe next time ?
Tina : Ok. Maybe next time.
The suitable expression to comple the dialogue is ........
a. Sure
b. I’m afraid I can’t
c. Of course
d. Yes, please
2. Rara : Excuse me, sir. May I close the door ? It’s windy outside.
Mr. Dedi : Oh, sure.
In the dialogue Rara is asking for ......
a. Permission
b. Help
c. Agreement
d. Information

Discussions

1. Answer : B. I’m afraid I can’t

Dalam dialog menyatakan bahwa Sasa akan pergi kerumah neneknya sore itu.
Jadi ekspresi yang tepat adalah refusing (penolakan) sedangkan pada opsi jawaban A,C
dan D adalah giving permission (memberi izin).

2. Answer : A. Permission
Dalam dialog rara mengatakan May I (bolehkah saya). Jadi jawaban yang tepat
adalah Permission (izin), sedangkan pada opsi jawaban B, C dan D tidak tepat karena rara
tidak meminta bantuan, persetujuan maupun informasi.