This is a very casual and common way to ask for permission or to ask if something is acceptable. We can ask for permission for our self or for another person.
Is it okay if + subject + verb…?
- Is it okay if I leave early today?
- Is it okay if I bring a friend to your party?
- Is it okay if she comes to the party too?
- Is it okay if I call you “Bill”?
- Is it okay if they don’t come?
- Is it okay if my children play in your yard?
- Is it okay if we don’t go there today? I feel sick?
- Is it okay if I sit here?
- Is it okay if I have some of this food?
- Is it okay if my dog plays in the park?
Is it okay if + subject + be verb…?
We can use a “be verb” as well. The “be verb” is followed by a noun, adjective, or prepositional phrase.
- Is it okay if I am 10 minutes late?
- Is it okay if I am not ready?
- Is it okay if she is 10 years old?
- Is it okay if they are children?
- Is it okay if the apartment is next to the highway?
- Is it okay if the property is near a river?
We can use this sentence structure to make a sentence that gives permission.
It is okay if + subject + verb…
In this sentence, the word “it” does not have a real meaning. It is a placeholder.
- It is okay if you don’t want to come.
- It is okay if you are late.
- It is okay if they join us for dinner.
- It is okay if your wife doesn’t want to play the game.
- It is okay if you don’t like it.
- It is okay if he doesn’t want to participate in this activity.
Bonus Tips and Points
1. We can use “all right” or “fine” instead of “okay”.
- It is all right if you don’t come.
- It is all right if we are a few minutes late.
- It is all right if she does not want to help us.
- It is fine if you don’t want to participate.
- It is fine if you do not bring anything to the party.
- It is fine if we don’t go.
2. We can express the same thing by using this sentence pattern.
It is not a problem if + sentence
- It is not a problem if you can’t come.
- It is not a problem if it doesn’t work. I have another one.
- It is not a problem if we are late to the party.
- It is not a problem if he doesn’t know how to do it. I can teach him.
Real-World English Conversations
A) Is it okay if I call you “Mark”?
B) No. Please call me Mr. Smith.
A) Is it okay if I don’t attend the meeting?
B) No, it is not okay. All team members are required to attend this meeting.
A) Is it okay if I bring a friend to dinner?
B) Of course! The more the merrier!
A) Is it okay if I do my homework later, mom?
B) Yes. You can do it after dinner.
A) I am leaving work early today.
B) Is it okay if you do that?
A) I don’t care.
A) Is it okay if I smoke here?
B) Actually, it is not okay. Please go outside if you need to smoke.
A) Hello Mr. Jones.
B) You don’t have to call me Mr. Jones. It is okay if you call me Ben.
Study these free English lessons to improve your English speaking. If you learn these common sentence patterns well, then your English speaking will improve greatly and you will be able to have fluent conversations in English in the near future! Study the lessons well, practice using them at home and in real life, and make sure to come back to review the material so you do not forget.
English Sentence Patterns for Speaking Index
