Asking for permission = Chiedere il permesso
Quando si chiede il permesso si deve farlo in un modo più educato possibile, affinché si riceva la risposta desiderata. Le seguenti frasi e gli esercizi vi aiuteranno in questo senso.
1. USEFUL PHRASES = FRASI UTILI
- Quando si chiede il permesso, è opportuno usare la parola “please”. La parola “please” in inglese può avere diverse posizioni nella frase.
- Sono importanti anche il tono adeguato e la pronuncia.
2. THE USE OF MODAL VERBS (always with base infinitive) = L’USO DEI VERBI MODALI (sempre con l’infinito base)
- May I open the window, please? = Posso aprire la finestra, per favore?
- Could I ask you something? = Posso chiederti una cosa?
- Can I please suggest something? = Posso suggerire una cosa, per favore?
3. OTHER POSSIBILITIES OF ASKING FOR PERMISSION = ALTRE OPZIONI PER CHIEDERE IL PERMESSO
3.1.Present simple
- Do you mind if I smoke in here? = Le dispiace se fumo qui?
- Would you mind if I borrow your computer? = Le dispiace se prendo in prestito il computer?
- Would it be all right if I go with you? = È un problema se vado con lei?
- Is it okay if I change the report? = Va bene se cambio il rapporto?
3.2.Past subjunctive
- Do you mind if I smoked in here? = Le dispiacerebbe se fumassi qui?
- Would you mind if I gave you another assignment? = Le dispiacerebbe se le dessi un altro incarico?
- Would it be all right if I went with you? = Le andrebbe bene se andassi con lei?
- Is it okay if I changed the report? = Andrebbe bene se cambiassi il rapporto?
4. EXAMPLES OF GIVING/REFUSING TO GIVE PERMISSION = ESEMPI DI COME DARE IL PERMESSO/RIFIUTARE DI DARE IL PERMESSO
4.1.GIVING PERMISSION = DARE IL PERMESSO
- Yes, please do. = Sì, per favore.
- Please feel free. = Non esitate.
- Yes, you may. = Sì, è possibile.
- Yes, you can. = Sì, è possibile.
- Sure, go ahead. = Fate pure.
- Sure. = Certo.
- No problem. = Nessun problema.
4.2.REFUSING TO GIVE PERMISSION = RIFIUTARE DI DARE IL PERMESSO
- No, please don’t. = No, per favore.
- No, I’m afraid you can’t. = Purtroppo non è possibile.
- No, you can’t. = No, non potete.
- No, I’m afraid that’s not possible. = Temo che non sia possibile.
- I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. = Mi dispiace, ma questo non è possibile.
- No, that’s not possible. = No, questo non è possibile.
- No, you may not. = No, non potete.
SAMPLE DIALOGS
Dialog 1
TOM: What’s wrong?
JIM: I’m having trouble because I need to ask the boss for permission, but I just don’t know how.
TOM: What do you need permission for?
JIM: Well there’s a big externship that would require me to be gone for three weeks.
TOM: That’s a long time. But it should be valuable experience.
JIM: There’s your angle: be direct, be sincere, convince her that it’s for the good of the company, and make sure you say please and thank you.
TOM: So something like “I would respectfully request permission to attend a three-week externship to get experience which would be valuable for the company. If you please think about my request, I would be very grateful.”?
JIM: That sounded convincing to me!
Dialog 2
TOM: Excuse me, ma’am. I have something to ask.
JIM: I’m a little busy at the moment, could you come back a little later.
TOM: It’ll only take a second, I promise.
JIM: Ok, what is it?
TOM: I would respectfully request permission to attend a three-week externship to get experience which would be valuable for the company. If you please think about my request, I would be very grateful.
JIM: Well with such a polite question, it would be hard to say no, wouldn’t it?
TOM: That was the idea.
JIM: Ok, well you have my permission. Talk with HR to sort out the details.
TOM: Thank you so much, it will be worth your while!
Dialog 3
TOM: Is it ok if I change to report to reflect what we just discussed here?
JIM: I’m not so sure that’s a good idea…
TOM: Well, could I at least add a page at the end of report as an afterthought?
JIM: That sounds a little better.
TOM: Ok, what if I just actually made a footnote for the relevant points, explaining our position?
JIM: Now you’re talking! That’s something I can get behind.
Dialog 4
TOM: Where are you going?
JIM: Out to a lunch meeting with our client.
TOM: Would it be ok if I tag along?
JIM: Sure, company would be great.
TOM: Is it ok if I tell my other teammate, too?
JIM: I don’t think so. We don’t want to bring too many people, so our client doesn’t get intimidated.
TOM: Probably a good idea, yeah.
Dialog 5
TOM: Can I open a window to let some air in?
JIM: I don’t know if you can or not.
TOM: What do you mean?
JIM: Don’t you remember from elementary school? “Can” refers to physical ability. If you want permission, use the word “may”?
TOM: Yikes, somebody is being pedantic today.
JIM: Today and every day!
TOM: So, MAY I open a window? Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top.
JIM: Yes, you may.
TOM: Thank you so very much for your grace and humble permission.
JIM: Any time!
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