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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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are your name

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are your name" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It is typically used incorrectly when someone intends to ask for a person's name, but the structure is flawed. Example: "Can you please tell me what are your name?" should be "Can you please tell me what your name is?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

What are your name theories?

News & Media

The Guardian

There may not be any vacancies at the time, but when there are, your name is down.

Chances are your name is boring and/or drew its inspiration from a celebrity your mom likes, so let's move on to something more interesting like the weather or what's up with that.

News & Media

Vice

The things you want to list are: Your name.

These are very handy because these are your name addresses.

The most important things are your name and the position you are running for; put these things in big letters!

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

(ex. 'Hi. My name is (your name).

What's your name?

News & Media

The New York Times

"It's your name".

News & Media

The New York Times

"What's your name?" "Marjorie".

News & Media

The New York Times

"What's your name?" "Jasmin".

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct grammatical form, "What is your name?", or its contracted form, "What's your name?", when asking someone their name. Avoid using "are your name", as it is grammatically incorrect.

Common error

A frequent mistake is using "are" instead of "is" when asking for someone's name. Remember that "name" is singular, so the correct form is "What is your name?", not "What are your name?".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are your name" is grammatically incorrect and typically used erroneously when attempting to inquire about someone's name. Ludwig AI explains that the correct form is "What is your name?".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are your name" is grammatically incorrect in English. According to Ludwig AI, the correct way to ask someone's name is "What is your name?". While examples exist where this phrase is used, particularly in informal contexts like wiki pages and news articles, it's crucial to avoid this error in formal writing. Alternatives like "May I ask your name?" or "Could you tell me your name?" are more appropriate for formal settings. Remember to use the grammatically correct form to ensure clarity and professionalism in your communication.

FAQs

What is the correct way to ask someone's name?

The correct and grammatically sound way to ask someone their name is "What is your name?" or its shortened form, "What's your name?". Using "are" in this context, such as in the phrase "are your name", is incorrect.

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "are your name"?

No, the phrase "are your name" is grammatically incorrect in English. The correct phrasing is "What "is your name"?".

What's a more formal way to ask for someone's name?

If you want to be more formal, you can say "May I ask your name?" or "Could you tell me your name?". These are more polite alternatives to the standard question, "What "is your name"?".

What can I say instead of asking "What is your name?" in a casual setting?

In a casual setting, you can use the shortened version "What's your name?" or simply say "Your name is...?" if you're trying to confirm a name you think you already know. Another casual option is "What should I call you?" if you are uncertain on the proper way to address the person.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: