Requests

Asking for Permission

Look at the examples below:

1. Student: Please sir, may I go out?
   Teacher: Yes, you may.

2. Student: Please madam, may I come in?
   Teacher: Yes, you may.

3. Child: Please mother, may I go play?
   Mother: No, you may not. You have to do your homework.

Activity 1

Practice asking for permission using may or can.

Asking for Something

Read the following examples:

1. Student: May I use your pen, please?
   Response: Yes, you may.
2. Child: May I have a soda, please?
   Response: No, you may not.
3. Student: May I eat an orange, please?
   Response: Yes, you may.
4. Person: Can I have some water, please?
   Response: Yes, here it is.

Dialogue

Faraja: Please mother, can I watch television?
Mother: No, you cannot. It is bedtime, Faraja.
Faraja: OK, mother.
Mother: Brush your teeth before you go to bed.
Faraja: OK, mother. Can I have some water?
Mother: Yes, here it is.
Faraja: Thank you, mother.

Exercise

Fill in the blanks using the words please, sir, may, can.

1. Please sister, ______ I eat a banana?
2. Please ______, may I come in?
3. Please Juma, ______ I borrow your pencil?
4. Please sir, ______ I go out?
5. ______ madam, may I sit with Juma?