You can say ‘may I ask’ as a formal way of asking a question , which shows you are annoyed or suspicious about something.
What does if I may ask mean?
( I’d like to ask you a question ), if I may: If you allow me to, (I’d like to ask you a question)
How do you use if I may ask?
- “How, if I may ask?” “Subway-car door. ...
- “If I may ask, what is the purpose of this?” he said of the prosecutor’s approach. ...
- “What is his profession, if I may ask?” “No, I mean he’s gone,” the girl said.
When to use if I may?
—used to express criticism or disagreement in a polite way The whole affair —if I may say so—was a waste of time.
Is it if I may ask polite?
“May” is used as a formal means to ask for permission and is very polite. It is usually used with “I,” and sometimes “we.” May I come in, please? May I use the telephone?
Can I ask you or may I ask you?
May I ask you a question ? Asking for permission. In addition, “may” version is more polite than the “can” version. Realistically speaking, both ask for permission and neither is offensive, but yes, “may” is still more polite than “can.”
What is if I may?
It’s a formal and somewhat old-fashioned way of saying ‘ please ‘ or ‘if that’s OK with you’. eg I’d like to close the window, if I may.
Can we or may we?
The only difference between the two verbs is that one is more polite than the other. In informal contexts it’s perfectly acceptable to use can; in formal situations it would be better to use may . Back to Usage.
Can I help you or may I help you?
Both are correct, but the meaning is not the same. “Can I help you?” is probably more common. Suppose you see someone standing at a street corner with a map, looking around at the intersecting streets. if you say “Can I help you?”, you are assuming that is possible, but not certain, that the person needs help.
Can I come in or may I come in?
“Can” is about ability while “may” is about permission, so “can you come” (are you able to come) and “may I come” (do I have permission to come) are the right forms there. When asking someone else to meet/join you, you may also see “will you” (are you agreeable to this).
What does May so mean?
—used to emphasize a statement This has been, if I may say so, one of the happiest days of my life .
Is it might be or may be?
Might and may are used mainly to talk about possibility. They can also be used to make a request, to ask permission, or to make a suggestion. When might and may are used with the same meaning, may is more formal than might. Might and may are called modals.
What is the meaning of May it be so?
Long may it be so or (a similar expression I’ve heard) may it be ever thus = I hope that this (whatever I have just been describing or talking about) will continue forever.
What is the polite way to ask for something?
- In more formal situations. Excuse me... .... ...
- Say hello. A “hello” and a smile go a long way! Say “hello” at the beginning of your request. ...
- Remember “please” and “thank you” “Please” normally goes at the end of the sentence: ...
- Say “excuse me” If you ask someone who is doing something else, remember to say “excuse me”:
Does may know formal?
It is very polite and formal . Could I have your name is also polite. Could I get your name is polite, but less formal. It is very common in the Southern US.
How do you kindly ask for something?
Use “WOULD YOU DO ME A FAVOR .” This is often used and you must use it when you are asking for a special request or favor. Other phrases for asking something to someone nicely are “DO YOU MIND,” WOULD YOU MIND, COULD I, WOULD IT BE OK IF, WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO, etc.
