may I borrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may I borrow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when politely requesting permission to take something temporarily from someone. Example: "May I borrow your pen for a moment? I need to sign this document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He enunciated his words clearly, speaking with a mild English accent: "May I borrow a dollar bill from you, sir?

The New Yorker

If you're not extremely outgoing, try, "Hi, may I borrow a pencil?

WikiHow

"Do these people have a Time Machine? May I borrow it?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was absolutely shocking, and then I get this note one day: 'May I please borrow a barricade?' So I walked it over and we went out to dinner and we were friends ever since".

The Guardian

If most of them are your friends or acquaintances to you, simply sit near them/ wait for them to invite you over to sit with them, or try asking "May I please borrow some deodorant?" or "I have no lunch.

WikiHow

If I may borrow from Stephen Colbert, I'd like to give a tip of the hat to cookware company Anolon, a major sponsor of the NYBG Edible Garden exhibition whose own Creating a Delicious Future campaign seeks to remedy kitchen illiteracy by fostering "a return to eating delicious foods prepared simply at home using fresh, seasonal, local ingredients".

Huffington Post

But I only have one heart... so I use it to love!" If I may borrow a Yiddishism Shlomo favors throughout "Soul Doctor": gevalt.

The New York Times

So if I may borrow a little vocabulary from the business pages, I am hereby putting a strong sell recommendation on "Burleigh Grime$," a feeble-witted comedy about dirty dealings on Wall Street that opened last night at New World Stages.

The New York Times

Ms. Mirren's Elizabeth comforts and cheers her instinctively rebellious younger self, reminding her, if I may borrow from Peter Allen, that a queen doesn't cry out loud, and that a life outside the public glare is only a fantasy.

The New York Times

However, the beating heart of this novel is philosophy, and if I may borrow an analogy from Professor Stephen Law, at times Anathem is not so much a work-out in the philosophy gym as philosophy extreme sports.

The Guardian - Books

If I may borrow the nutritionist's reductionist vocabulary for a moment, there are a host of critical micronutrients that are harder to get from a diet of refined seeds than from a diet of leaves.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking to borrow something, always specify what you intend to borrow. For example, "May I borrow your pen?" is clearer than simply, "May I borrow?"

Common error

While "may" is polite, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal or stiff. Consider using "can" or "could" in informal settings to sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

"May I borrow" functions as an interrogative phrase used to politely request permission to take something temporarily. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use. It seeks consent from the person who owns or has control over the item in question.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may I borrow" is a grammatically sound and polite way to request temporary use of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. Although "may I borrow" is a correct request, it should be employed judiciously in informal conversations, where phrases using "can" or "could" may be more appropriate. "May I borrow" is more formal. While not as common as its less formal counterparts, it remains a useful phrase for situations where politeness and respect are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could I borrow

Uses a different auxiliary verb ("could" instead of "may") to express politeness, softening the request slightly.

can I borrow

Uses "can" instead of "may", making the request less formal but still acceptable in many contexts.

would you mind if I borrowed

Presents the request as a hypothetical, further softening the approach and emphasizing politeness.

is it alright if I borrow

Asks for confirmation that the action is permissible, adding a layer of consideration for the other person's feelings.

do you mind if I borrow

Directly asks about any potential objections, showing concern for the other person's convenience.

may I use

Replaces "borrow" with "use", broadening the request to include actions beyond simply taking something temporarily.

could I use

Combines the softened politeness of "could" with the broader scope of "use".

would it be possible to borrow

Emphasizes the possibility of fulfilling the request, highlighting the potential benefit to the speaker.

is it possible for me to borrow

Similar to the previous phrase, but more explicitly focuses on the speaker's ability to borrow.

I was wondering if I could borrow

Introduces the request indirectly, framing it as a thought or consideration rather than a direct demand.

FAQs

How to use "may I borrow" in a sentence?

Use "may I borrow" when politely asking for temporary use of something. For example, "May I borrow your notes to study for the test?"

What can I say instead of "may I borrow"?

You can use alternatives like "can I borrow", "could I borrow", or "is it okay if I borrow" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "may I borrow" formal?

Yes, "may I borrow" is considered more formal than "can I borrow". Use "may" when you want to be especially polite, or when addressing someone in authority.

What's the difference between "may I borrow" and "can I borrow"?

"May I borrow" expresses permission, while "can I borrow" expresses ability. While "can" is often used informally, "may" is technically more correct when seeking permission.