These are great phrases to use if speaking to a teacher at school or a boss at work. Asking for permission in these ways shows that you value the other person’s opinion.Įven though you already have an idea of what to do, you still want them to weigh in – to provide their opinion – on which you will base your decision.

You know something that you could do and you really value the other person’s opinionįor these phrases, you are suggesting something that you want to do, or something that you could do, and trying to see whether the person you ask is approving of your suggestion or not. Could I get another glass of water please?Ģ.Could I please watch the next episode of this show before we start cleaning the house?.Could I borrow some money to pay for dance class and pay you back next week?.Can I please see the detailed plans for your kitchen remodeling?Īsking something with could is a gentler way to ask than can I.Can I spend my weekend in Portland before traveling to Seattle?.If you want to be politer, it is best to add please into the sentence, especially when you are talking to someone who has authority over you. In the case of a very formal situation, it may be better to stick with the other ways of asking the question, but it is acceptable in many situations. May I look over this contract and discuss it with my family members before signing it and getting it back to you?Īsking can you do something is more direct than using may or could.May I go to the park with my friends today please?.To make it even more polite, add the please after asking it. This is usually very polite, and used when you are asking someone who has authority over you for something. All three phrases have the same meaning, but each of them has a slightly different effect when it comes to how polite you are being.

Different than all the rest synonym