may we have

USAGE SUMMARY

'may we have' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression used to make polite requests. Example: "May we have a moment of your time to discuss this matter further?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"May we have the house lights down, please".

The Guardian - Music

With Theresa May we have a prime minister back.

The Guardian - Opinion

may we have physical mental happiness in 2018.

The Washington Post

may we have ease of wellbeing in 2018.

The Washington Post

COL.AMEN: May we have General Lahousen brought before the Tribunal?

Yale University

Be that as it may, we have to play it as it lays.

The Guardian - Film

"Very few people can do this Lizzie, & may we have God's blessing & a sufficient amount of moral courage".

The Guardian

Madge herself may we have taken offence, according to Pink's recent tweet: Pink released his first album in 2002.

The Guardian - Music

To highlight the work charities have been doing in the runup to 7 May we have chosen four campaigns that stand out.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I am not going to commit to what we are going to do on 8, 9 or 19 May - we have an affinity with Labour, but we're not chained to Labour, we don't have leg irons on us".

BBC

"The environment assessment regime put in place in the past year would be a laughing stock in a developing country," said May. "We have a government that is less concerned about climate than the CEOs of major oil companies".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may we have" in formal contexts to convey politeness and respect. It is particularly suitable when addressing superiors or making requests in official settings.

Common error

Avoid using "can we have" in formal situations where "may we have" is more appropriate. "Can" implies ability, while "may" implies permission or a polite request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may we have" functions as a polite interrogative. It's used to respectfully request something or ask for permission. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may we have" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for making polite requests, as verified by Ludwig AI. It is particularly appropriate in formal settings, such as professional or academic environments. While alternatives like "could we have" or "can we have" exist, "may we have" maintains a higher level of formality. This analysis highlights the phrase's function, purpose, register, and typical usage contexts, providing a comprehensive understanding of its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could we have

Replaces "may" with "could", softening the request slightly.

might we have

Employs "might", indicating a more tentative or hypothetical request.

can we have

Uses "can" instead of "may", making the request more informal.

would it be possible to have

Presents a more formal and indirect way of asking for something.

is it possible for us to have

Similar to the previous phrase, but structured differently for emphasis.

we would like to request

Rephrases the request as a statement of desire, adding formality.

we request

A direct and somewhat formal way to make a request.

we ask that you provide

Turns the request into a directive, implying a need for provision.

are we able to obtain

Focuses on the ability to receive something, rather than directly asking.

may we procure

Utilizes the more formal verb "procure", suggesting a careful acquisition.

FAQs

How to use "may we have" in a sentence?

Use "may we have" to make a polite request, such as "May we have the report by Friday?" or "May we have your attention, please?"

What can I say instead of "may we have"?

You can use alternatives like "could we have", "might we have", or "would it be possible to have" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Which is correct, "may we have" or "can we have"?

"May we have" is generally considered more polite and formal than "can we have". Use "may" when requesting permission or making a formal request, and "can" when asking about ability or possibility.

Is "may we have" appropriate for informal settings?

While "may we have" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual settings. In informal situations, consider using "can we have" or other less formal alternatives.