give the floor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give the floor" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used in a professional or academic setting, to mean that someone should be allowed to speak. For example, "The moderator gave the floor to the audience member to ask their question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

We're a reasonably flat organization, and we give the floor to all sorts of competing opinions.

Harvard Business Review

Pull down the shutters guys and give the floor staff the summer off.

The Guardian

In those circumstances, the Speaker is more likely to give the floor to one of the smaller parties than to rebels from the governing party.

Independent

"I hope that we can give the floor to Italians as soon as possible, but first we need to clear things up.

The Guardian

Wednesday's session of the hearing will give the floor to competitor firms, including United Technologies, whose Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines division would be directly affected by the deal.

The New York Times

'Facts speak only when the historian calls on them," wrote the historian EH Carr in his landmark work, What Is History? "It is he who decides which facts to give the floor and in what order or context.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We want to expose the concrete, and we like its color variations, but we would like to give the floors a gleaming polished patina.

The New York Times

But before we sing "Happy Birthday" to ourselves, it is a good time to open the saloon doors and give the floors a fresh scrubbing.

The New York Times

Leaving a small barrier around the side of the room will give the flooring enough of a buffer to do its thing without cracking.[1].

WikiHow

Flooring plan: For wood floor, refinishing is the best option to replacing them, but if it's not in the budget, painting them is another choice that can give the floors a renewed look.

WikiHow

He gave the floor to Jacobson.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give the floor" when you want to formally allow someone to speak, especially after you have been speaking or managing a discussion. It's a polite way to transition control of the conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "give the floor" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal and out of place. In informal settings, phrases like "let them talk" or "what do you think?" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give the floor" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used transitively. It enables the speaker to formally transfer control of a discussion or speaking opportunity to another person. Ludwig examples showcase its role in professional and academic discourse.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give the floor" is a common idiomatic expression used to formally grant someone the opportunity to speak. It's considered grammatically correct and is particularly suited for professional and formal environments. According to Ludwig, this phrase commonly appears in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts. Remember to avoid using it in overly casual settings, as simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The related phrases such as "yield the floor" or "invite to speak" can be employed based on the specific context and level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yield the floor

Implies a formal relinquishing of one's speaking time to another.

give the opportunity to speak

Emphasizes the provision of a chance to express oneself.

allow to speak

A general way of saying someone is permitted to talk.

invite to speak

Formally requesting someone to present or share information.

recognize someone

In parliamentary procedure, acknowledging someone to speak.

permit to address

Suggests a formal setting where someone is allowed to make a speech.

call on someone

Inviting someone to speak, often in a classroom or meeting setting.

offer the platform

Provides a chance for someone to express their views in public.

let someone talk

An informal way to say someone is allowed to speak.

entrust with the microphone

Emphasizes the physical act of giving someone control over speaking.

FAQs

How can I use "give the floor" in a sentence?

You can use "give the floor" to indicate that you are allowing someone to speak. For example, "I will now "give the floor" to our guest speaker".

What's the difference between "give the floor" and "yield the floor"?

"Give the floor" generally means to allow someone to speak, while "yield the floor" implies that you are relinquishing your own speaking time to someone else, typically in a formal debate or discussion.

What can I say instead of "give the floor"?

You can use alternatives like "allow to speak", "invite to speak", or "recognize someone", depending on the context.

Is "give the floor" appropriate for all situations?

While generally versatile, "give the floor" is more suited for formal settings like meetings or presentations. In casual settings, simpler phrases like "let someone talk" may be more fitting.