Permission – Can, Could, May

When we ask for permission to do something we use can, could, may. May is the most formal.

Examples

Can I go to the party?
Could I ask a question?
May I sit here?

 

If we want to be more polite we can use the following construction:

Do you mind if I	base form of verb
Do you mind if I	open the window?
Do you mind if I	sit here?
Do you mind if I	ask you a question?