one may ask

USAGE SUMMARY

"one may ask" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when introducing a question or an idea that is being posed by the writer. For example, "One may ask why the company would enter such a risky venture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What on Earth, one may ask, is going on?

Huffington Post

Second, one may ask why put on the surcharge now?

Forbes

With the discrediting officially discredited, one may ask: What's really going on?

The New York Times

One may ask why companies need to focus on project management techniques and employ project managers.

Science Magazine

However, one may ask whether there are similar results without the assumption on the compactness or equicontinuity of the semigroup.

Boundary Value Problems

What's the point, one may ask?

Princeton University

The question one may ask is why?

The New York Times - Style

One may ask what could be this time?

The Guardian

The beginner's guide to what, one may ask?

The Guardian - Tech

One may ask who then owns the land.

Britannica

One may ask why the Greeks suddenly began to launch these overseas projects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one may ask" to introduce a question that the reader might naturally have, creating a smoother transition and engaging them in the discussion.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences or paragraphs with "one may ask", as it can become repetitive and detract from the overall flow of your writing. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one may ask" functions as an introductory device used to pose a question that the author anticipates a reader might have. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound phrase used to smoothly transition into an inquiry. Examples across various sources demonstrate its role in guiding the reader's thought process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one may ask" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce questions in a text. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, and the collected examples showcase its frequent use across diverse fields such as News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. The phrase serves the purpose of engaging the reader by anticipating their potential inquiries and guiding them through the author's line of reasoning. While versatile, it's advisable to use it judiciously to avoid repetition. Alternative phrases like "one might inquire" can add variety to writing. Overall, "one may ask" is a valuable tool for writers aiming to create thoughtful and engaging content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one might inquire

Replaces "ask" with "inquire", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

one could question

Substitutes "ask" with "question", emphasizing doubt or scrutiny.

one may wonder

Replaces "ask" with "wonder", suggesting curiosity or contemplation.

it is reasonable to ask

Introduces a justification for asking the question, implying logical reasoning.

it is worth asking

Highlights the value or importance of the question.

a question arises

Shifts the focus from the act of asking to the emergence of the question itself.

the question is posed

Presents the question as formally introduced or presented.

it begs the question

Implies the question is an obvious or unavoidable one.

let us consider

Proposes a topic for consideration, indirectly introducing a question.

what if we ask

Poses a hypothetical question, inviting exploration of possibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "one may ask" in a sentence?

"One may ask" is typically used to introduce a question that the writer anticipates a reader might have. For example, "One may ask, why is this approach more effective?"

What are some alternatives to "one may ask"?

You can use alternatives such as "one might inquire", "it is reasonable to ask", or "one may wonder depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "one may ask" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "one may ask" when you want to introduce a question that is pertinent to the topic and that your audience might be considering. It helps to guide the reader's thought process.

Is "one may ask" formal or informal?

"One may ask" has a slightly formal tone but is generally acceptable in most writing contexts. If you're aiming for a more casual tone, you might consider alternatives like "you might wonder".