Requests and Permission

How to request and ask for permission politely

Requests

When we make a request, we use the modal verbs would, will, could and can. Using these verbs, we make a polite request.

For example:

Would you lend me money?

Can you lend me money, please?

As we already know, after a modal verb the next verb does not change. So it is no necessary to add -es or s if we conjugate the thir singular person he, she or it.


Some polite answers to a request are the next:

Sure, I'd be happy to, of course, Sure, no problem.

If we refuse, we cannot say just "no". It is considered rude and unpolite.
Some possible polite refuses are:

No, I'm sorry.
Sorry, I can't right now.

Asking permission politely

For asking permission we use the next modal verbs: may, could or can.

For example

-May I borrow your book?
Sure, no problem.

Another way to ask a permission is using the modal verb would.

When we use it, we want to know if the interlocutor is agree with the action we are asking permission for.

- Would you mind if I borrow your book?

To this kind of request it is neccesary to answer with a negation, but it does not mean a refuse. That means that the interlocutor is not against the request.