may I inquire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'may I inquire' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to politely ask a question or to make a request for more information. Example: "May I inquire about the cost of your services?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Nancy, Judith's sassy, promiscuous best friend, who's a journalist, has this to say about the Courtney Logans of the world: "May I inquire precisely why we went through a revolution in women's rights, why we bothered to have our consciences raised?

The New York Times - Books

Once he started at 10 30 in the morning to sentence a parole violator to a year in prison and was still going strong at 2 30 in the afternoon, when the defense attorney got up and said, "May I inquire whether this is a sentence or a filibuster?" View Article By Anthony Lane By Rebecca Mead By Jia Tolentino By Andy Borowitz.

The New Yorker

I realize it's improper to ask, but may I inquire, dear reader, as to how old you are?

Huffington Post

She asked, "May I inquire what this is about?" I replied, "It is very confidential, and the bank manager will appreciate why I want to talk specifically with her".

Huffington Post

"May I inquire about your communal baths?" is one gambit.

The New Yorker

"May I inquire after your state of mind?" "Do you feel better about that email?" Jay stared out for so long that I thought I'd made him angry.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Any accidents?" I inquire.

The Guardian

What kind?" I inquire.

The Guardian

"What is it?" I inquire.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Is it a comedy?" I inquire delicately.

The Guardian - Books

I was never consulted, nor did I inquire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may I inquire" in situations where politeness and formality are important, such as when addressing someone in a position of authority or in professional correspondence.

Common error

Avoid using "may I inquire" in casual conversations or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Simpler phrases like "can I ask" or "could you tell me" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may I inquire" functions as a polite and formal interrogative. It's used to introduce a question or request information in a respectful manner, suitable for professional or formal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may I inquire" is a grammatically correct and polite way to ask a question, best suited for formal or professional contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a valid and usable phrase. While alternatives like "can I ask" or "could I ask" exist, they lack the same level of formality. Overusing "may I inquire" in informal situations can sound overly pretentious, making it crucial to consider the context and audience. It is considered an uncommon expression and is found mostly in sources like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

May I ask

A more direct and common variant.

Could I ask

Polite and similar in formality, but emphasizes possibility.

Can I ask

More direct and slightly less formal.

Might I ask

Very formal and somewhat archaic.

Can you tell me

Direct, yet still polite in many contexts.

Would you mind telling me

Polite and indirect, focusing on the other person's willingness.

I was wondering

Indirect and polite, framing the question as a thought.

I'm curious to know

Expresses curiosity, softening the inquiry.

I'd like to know

States a desire to know, less of a direct question.

Is it possible to know

Indirect and emphasizes the possibility of obtaining information.

FAQs

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

Use "may I inquire" to politely introduce a question, like "May I inquire about the details of the project?"

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

You can use alternatives like "may I ask", "could I ask", or "can I ask" depending on the level of formality required.

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

"May I inquire" is more formal and polite, while "can I inquire" is more direct. Choose based on the context and your relationship with the person you are addressing.

What's the difference between "may I inquire" and "I was wondering"?

"May I inquire" is a direct, though polite, question. "I was wondering" is an indirect way of asking, often used to soften the inquiry.