may I refer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may I refer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to ask for permission to mention or direct someone to a specific source or information. Example: "In our discussion about the project, may I refer to the guidelines we established last month?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nick Moss London May I refer Don Macdonald (Letters, 26 September) to Ronan Bennett's article "You want leadership?

The Guardian

May I refer to my earlier suggestion?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But in recent years, I fear that she may have lost her way: I refer to this period as "the leotard era".

The Guardian - Music

So, when I see the Donmar Recruiting Officer, I may refer back to that National Theatre production, but I hope I won't use it as a stick with which to beat the present.

The Guardian

For one thing, it switches narrators from paragraph to paragraph, so that Sarah's account to the reader will segue straight into Chubb's story to her; the "I" may refer to either one of them.

The New York Times - Books

In the past, I have tried solving the problem of inherent sexism in language by alternating male and female pronouns when referring to generic professions – where I refer to a patient as "he" in one sentence, I may refer to his doctor as "she" in the next.

The Guardian - Books

I may refer to my 1982 Braves team in Atlanta; we lost 19 out of 21 games, then what happened.

The New York Times - Sports

(Non-participating optometrist (GRRS) I felt that the rewards would not be sufficient to justify the extra work load and time required to perform all the tests accurately and to the standard required I may refer 3 or 4 patients a month on to GRRS and for that low volume it would not be a problem.

BMJ Open

I felt that the rewards would not be sufficient to justify the extra work load and time required to perform all the tests accurately and to the standard required I may refer 3 or 4 patients a month on to GRRS and for that low volume it would not be a problem.

BMJ Open

I may refer to this worksheet as the Method2 worksheet, instead of Data(2) -- both terms refer to the same sheet.

WikiHow

Let's look at the evidence in the source material… I would like, if I may, to refer to my battered 1981 fourth-edition Unwin reprint of The Hobbit, page 77.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may I refer" when seeking permission to introduce a specific source or piece of information into a discussion or document. It's appropriate for formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "can I refer" in formal contexts. "May" is generally considered more appropriate when asking for permission, while "can" refers to ability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may I refer" functions as an interrogative clause used to politely seek permission to direct someone's attention to a specific source, document, or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in formal communication.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may I refer" is a grammatically sound phrase used to politely request permission to direct someone's attention to a particular source or piece of information. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for formal contexts, primarily found in news, science, and wiki-related content. While alternatives like "can I refer" exist, "may I refer" maintains a more formal and grammatically correct tone. When writing, remember to use "may" when seeking permission and consider the formality of your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could I refer to

Changes the modal verb to "could", suggesting a slightly more tentative or polite request.

Am I allowed to refer to

Replaces the modal verb with an explicit expression of permission.

Would it be alright if I refer to

Introduces a conditional clause, making the request more indirect and polite.

May I direct your attention to

Shifts the focus from a general reference to a specific direction of attention.

Can I point you to

Uses a more informal verb ("point") to suggest a simpler and more direct referral.

Shall I refer to

Uses "shall" to offer a referral, implying a willingness to do so if desired.

Is it okay if I refer to

Offers a more casual and direct way of asking for permission.

Do you mind if I refer to

Asks if the listener objects to the referral, implying consideration for their preferences.

Let me refer you to

Shifts from a question to a statement of intent, implying a higher degree of certainty.

I'd like to refer to

Expresses a desire to refer, rather than asking for permission.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "may I refer"?

The phrase "may I refer" is appropriate in formal contexts when you need to ask for permission to direct someone's attention to a particular source or piece of information. For less formal situations, alternatives like "can I point you to" may be suitable.

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

"May I refer" seeks permission to mention something. "Can I refer" questions your ability to make the reference. While the latter is increasingly common, "may I refer" remains the more grammatically correct choice in formal settings.

Are there synonyms for "may I refer" that I can use in my writing?

Yes, you can use phrases like "could I refer to", "am I allowed to refer to", or "may I direct your attention to". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

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

You can use "may I refer" to introduce another person's statement, a document, or any source of information that is helpful for backing up an argument. For example, "In support of this, may I refer you to the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine?"