| 词组 | Permission |
| 释义 | Permission If someone gives you permission to do something, they say they will allow you to do it. He gave me permission to go. You can't do it without permission. Permission is an uncount noun. You do not talk about 'permissions' or 'a permission'. When you ask for permission to do something and are given it, you say that you get or obtain permission to do it. I went as often as I could get permission. Consul-General Lee obtained permission for an autopsy. You do not say that someone 'takes' permission to do something. When you have been given permission to do something, you say that you have or have got permission to do it. I have permission to tell you how things went in Bonn. We've got permission to climb the Tower. ———————— There are several ways of asking, giving, and refusing permission. ◊ asking permission If you want to ask permission to do something, you can use 'Can I...?' or 'Could I...?' (You use 'we' instead of 'I' if you are speaking on behalf of a group.) 'Could I...?' is more polite. Can I light the fire? I'm cold. Can I have a look at the piece of paper then? Could we put this fire on? Could I stay at your place for a bit, Rob? People used to be taught that, when asking for permission, it was correct to use 'may' rather than 'can', and 'might' rather than 'could'. However, 'can' and 'could' are now generally used. 'May I...?' sounds very polite and formal, and 'Might I...?' sounds even more formal. May I look round now? May I borrow that new lipstick you bought, Stephanie? Might we leave our bags here for a moment? You can add 'please' to be more polite. David, can I look at your notes please? Good afternoon. Could I speak to Mr Duff, please. Could you ask for them to be taken out, please. You can also make your request very polite by adding 'perhaps' or 'possibly' after 'Could I' or 'May I'. Could I perhaps bring a friend with me? May I possibly have a word with you? You can ask permission in a stronger way by using 'can't' or 'couldn't' instead of 'can' or 'could'. You do this if you think you may not be given the permission you want. Can't I come? Couldn't we stay here? Another way of requesting permission is to say 'Let me...'. However, if you use a firm tone, this can sound like an order. Oh, let me come with you. Please let me do it, Cyril! Note that 'Let me...' is also used as a way of offering to do something for someone. Anne, let me drive you home. You don't look at all well. See entry at ↑ ◊ indirect ways There are other, more indirect, ways of asking for permission to do something. You can use expressions such as 'Would it be all right if I...?' and, more informally, 'Is it okay if I...?' Would it be all right if I used your phone? Is it all right if I go to the bathroom? Is it okay if I go home now? In very informal situations, these expressions are often shortened so that they start with the adjective. This sounds more casual, as if you are assuming the other person will give their permission. Okay if I smoke? An even more indirect way is to say something like 'Would it be all right to...?', using a 'to'-infinitive. Would it be all right to take this? A more polite way is to say 'Do you mind if I...?' or 'Would you mind if I...?' Do you mind if we speak a bit of German? Would you mind if I just ask you some routine questions? Again, these expressions are shortened in very informal situations. Mind if I bring my bike in? You can also say 'I was wondering if I could...' or 'I wonder if I could...'. I was wondering if I could go home now. I wonder if I could have a few words with you. Note that, in formal situations, you can add 'if I may' after stating your intention to do something. You do this when you do not think it is really necessary to ask permission but want to appear polite. I'll take a seat if I may. Switching, if I may, from the Victorian novelist to more contemporary novelists, who do you think are the good novelists of today? ◊ giving someone permission There are many words and expressions that you can use to give someone permission to do something when they have just asked you for it. In informal situations, you can say 'OK' or 'All right'. 'Sure' is slightly more emphatic, and is used especially by American speakers. 'Could I have a word with him?' ---'OK.' 'Can I go with you?' ---'Sure.' 'Of course', 'Yes, do', and 'By all means' are more formal, and emphatic. 'Could I make a telephone call?' ---'Of course.' 'Do you mind if I look in your cupboard? There are some hot water bottles somewhere.' ---'Yes, do.' 'May I come too?' ---'By all means.' If you are not very certain or enthusiastic about giving permission, you can say 'I don't see why not.' 'Can I take it with me this afternoon?' ---'I don't see why not.' You can give someone permission to do something when they have not asked for it by saying 'You can...'. If you want to be more formal, you say 'You may...'. You can go off duty now. You may use my wardrobe. ◊ refusing permission The commonest way of refusing someone permission is to use an expression such as 'Sorry', 'I'm sorry', or 'I'm afraid not', and give an explanation. 'I was wondering if I could borrow a book for the evening.' ---'Sorry, I haven't got any with me.' 'Could I see him -- just for a few minutes?' ---'No, I'm sorry, you can't. He's very ill.' 'I wonder if I might see him.' ---'I'm afraid not, sir. Mr Wilt is still helping us with our enquiries.' If you know the other person very well, you can simply say 'No' or 'No, you can't', but this is impolite. In informal situations, people sometimes use even more impolite and emphatic expressions to refuse permission, such as 'No way' and 'No chance'. You can indicate that you do not really want someone to do something by saying 'I'd rather you didn't.' You say this when you cannot in fact prevent them from doing it. 'May I go on?' ---'I'd rather you didn't.' You can refuse someone permission to do something when they have not asked for it by saying 'You can't...' or 'You mustn't...'. You can't go. You mustn't open it until you have it in the right place. You can also use 'You're not' and an '-ing' form. This is informal and emphatic. You're not putting that thing on my boat. |
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