if I may quote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if I may quote" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a citation or reference from another source, indicating that the speaker is about to repeat someone else's words. Example: "In discussing the importance of teamwork, I would like to say, if I may quote, 'Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If I may quote: "Professor A.

The New Yorker

If I may quote the president: I understand that.

The Washington Post

If I may quote Gob Bluth: Oh COME ON!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"If I may quote Jesus, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people,' " said the Rev. Mark Arey, a spokesman for the archdiocese.

The New York Times

If I may quote from your letter: When my friend and I realised what your angle was, we had to laugh.

The Guardian

If I may quote from Mrs. Clinton, it does indeed take a village to raise a child, and the village isn't filled with just husbands and wives.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But it seems that he may misinterpret the role of theoretical science and public funding in the prosperity of the American economy.If I may quote from Alexis de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America":"In America, the purely practical aspect of science is studied admirably and careful attention is devoted to that theoretical area which is closely related to its application.

The Economist

I may quote her word for word.

The New York Times

If I may update Karl Marx's quote with something a little more queer: "Genders of the world, unite!

Huffington Post

"Hadley," gushed Kilkennyhead, "you are – if I may be so bold as to quote the great Animal in the Diana Ross episode after she smashed his head between two cymbals – 'My kind of Woman!!!!!'" It was even enough to win over once fervent critics.

The Guardian

If I may be so bold as to quote West Side Story, "something's coming — I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if I may quote" to politely introduce a direct quote, especially when addressing someone of higher status or in a formal setting.

Common error

Avoid using "if I may quote" excessively in a single piece of writing. It can make your writing sound repetitive or overly deferential. Use it sparingly for significant or impactful quotes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if I may quote" serves as an introductory element to signal that the speaker or writer is about to directly cite or reference someone else's words. It adds a layer of politeness and formality, acknowledging the source of the information. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if I may quote" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to politely introduce a quotation. It is commonly found in news, academic, and science-related contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. While its use adds a touch of formality and acknowledges the source, it's important not to overuse it, ensuring your writing remains concise and engaging. Consider alternatives like "to quote" or "may I cite" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if I might quote

Slightly more formal and tentative.

if I can quote

More direct and less polite.

allowing me to quote

Formal and emphasizes permission.

with your permission to quote

Highly formal and deferential.

if I am permitted to quote

Very formal and emphasizes granted permission.

let me quote

More assertive and less polite.

may I cite

More formal and academic.

may I reference

Similar to 'cite' but slightly broader.

to quote

Direct and concise way of introducing a quote, omitting the request for permission.

if I remember correctly

Less direct, suggests quoting from memory.

FAQs

How can I use "if I may quote" in a sentence?

Use "if I may quote" to politely introduce a direct quote from someone else. For example, "In discussing the impact of technology, "if I may quote" Bill Gates, 'The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don't really even notice it, so it's part of everyday life'".

What are some alternatives to "if I may quote"?

You can use phrases like "if I might quote", "let me quote", or "may I cite" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it necessary to use "if I may quote" before every quotation?

No, it's not necessary. Using it sparingly adds politeness, but overusing it can sound repetitive. Vary your introductions to quotations with other phrases or simply state the quote.

What's the difference between "if I may quote" and "to quote"?

"If I may quote" is a polite way of asking permission before quoting someone. "To quote" is a more direct and less formal way of introducing a quotation.