may I enquire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'may I enquire' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a polite way to make a question or inquiry. For example: "May I enquire what time the office closes on Fridays?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

2.16pm BST Into the void So may I enquire who's out there, following along in the graveyard hours of Australia, the sunset hours of India, or the high-street hours of the United Kingdom?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

'Fraudulent?' I enquire.

The Guardian - Books

Where is Woody, I enquire?

The Guardian - Music

I enquire how big a sport rugby is in Mexico.

The Guardian - Film

I enquire about the unusual choice of colour.

The Guardian - Travel

Has she, I enquire, ever had a relationship with a politician?

Independent

"I was hurt," he says when I enquire about his feelings toward his team's quarterback.

The Guardian - Sport

So, I enquire perhaps unnecessarily, you shan't be tempted to act with them again?

The Guardian

I enquire about her children and she gives the briefest details.

The Guardian - Books

When I enquire if he now regrets the idea, his spokesman curiously insists: "There was never a champagne ban.

Independent

"I enquired about him, as I enquire about a number of people," Ward told BBC Essex.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context; if a less formal tone is appropriate, "may I ask" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "may I enquire" in casual conversations, as it can sound overly stiff or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can I ask" or "could you tell me" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may I enquire" functions as a polite and formal interrogative phrase. It serves to introduce a question in a respectful manner, indicating a degree of deference to the person being addressed. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may I enquire" is a grammatically correct and formal phrase used to politely introduce a question. While not as common as its more casual counterpart "may I ask", it conveys a higher degree of respect and is best suited for professional, official, or written communication. Ludwig indicates its validity and provides examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts, primarily within news media and formal settings. Remember to consider your audience and context to choose the most appropriate tone for your inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may I ask

A direct and slightly less formal alternative.

could I ask

Similar in politeness, but uses "could" to express a conditional possibility.

might I ask

More formal and less common than "may I ask".

would you mind telling me

A more roundabout way of asking, emphasizing politeness.

I would like to know

A statement of desire to know, leading into a question.

I'm curious to know

Indicates interest in the answer.

can you tell me

A more direct request for information.

I was wondering

Softens the question by phrasing it as a passing thought.

is it possible to know

Focuses on the possibility of obtaining the information.

can I get some information about

Asks for information in a more general way.

FAQs

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

You can use "may I enquire" to politely introduce a question, like "May I enquire about the status of my application?" or "May I enquire what time the meeting starts?".

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

You can use alternatives like "may I ask", "could I ask", or "I would like to know" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may I enquire" or "can I enquire"?

"May I enquire" is more formal and polite, while "can I enquire" is more casual. The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

What's the difference between "may I enquire" and "I would like to know"?

"May I enquire" is a direct question phrased politely. "I would like to know" is a statement expressing a desire for information, often followed by a question.