may I know

USAGE SUMMARY

'may I know' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when politely asking for information or clarification. For example: "May I know what time the meeting is scheduled for?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

VERNITA: Be that as it may, I know I do not deserve mercy or forgiveness.

The New Yorker

Referee: Andy Hall (W Midlands) 7 28pm: The inevitable email: "May I know all of the Champions League, Championship and FA Cup squads and referees for the respective matches please, Paul?" chuckles Chris Laws.

The Guardian - Sport

May I know that I am enough".

Huffington Post

May I be happy, may I know peace.

Vice

We recently received a question from one of our readers who asked, "May I know five good reasons why 62-year-old women need sex?" We loved this question, both in its simplicity and for its complexity.

Huffington Post

Taking control of the call from the beginning will let the caller know you're a professional: Example of Solicitor: Caller: "Can I speak to Bill?" Respondent: "May I know who is speaking?" Caller: "Tom".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

To whom it may concern: I know Mr. Tangorra as long as my son has known him.

The New York Times

Which may, for all I know, be the point.

The New York Times

I know smoking may kill me, I know not to do it while pregnant and I certainly know not to do it around children.

The Guardian - Opinion

You may think "Oh, I know what I'm doing... ........ but odds are you don't.

WikiHow

Fucking hell, long may I live, y'know?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may I know" when seeking information politely, particularly in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "may I know" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "can you tell me" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "may I know" is to serve as a polite interrogative phrase. It is used to introduce a request for information in a respectful manner. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable for polite requests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may I know" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to politely request information, suitable for various contexts, particularly formal and professional settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a reliable way to phrase a polite question. While alternatives like "could you tell me" exist, "may I know" offers a distinct level of politeness. It's advisable to avoid overusing it in very informal conversations. Remember to consider the audience and context when using this phrase for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you tell me

Uses "could" instead of "may" and "tell me" instead of "know", changing the level of formality slightly.

can you inform me

Replaces "may" with "can" and "know" with "inform me", offering a more direct way to ask for information.

would you mind telling me

Adds a layer of politeness by inquiring if the person minds providing the information.

is it possible to know

Frames the request as a question of possibility, softening the directness.

I would like to know

Expresses a desire to know, making the request slightly less direct.

can I ask you

Introduces a question, setting up a request for information.

I'm curious to know

Highlights curiosity as the reason for asking, making the request more conversational.

do you happen to know

Adds a casual element, suggesting the person might know the information incidentally.

I was wondering if you could tell me

Introduces the question with a preamble about wondering, making it less assertive.

what is

Directly asks "what is", removing the polite framing.

FAQs

How can I use "may I know" in a sentence?

"May I know" is used to politely request information. For example, "May I know the deadline for the project?". It's a formal way to ask a question.

What are some alternatives to "may I know"?

You can use alternatives like "could you tell me", "can you inform me", or "would you mind telling me" depending on the level of formality you need.

Is "may I know" formal or informal?

"May I know" is considered a formal way to ask a question. In more casual settings, phrases like "can you tell me" or "do you know" are more common.

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

While both phrases ask for information, "may I know" is generally considered more polite and formal than "can I know". Using "may" implies a request for permission, adding a level of deference.