An Encylopedia Britannica Company
Ask the Editor

Questions with might, may, and can

Question
Can you use "Might I ask...?" to ask a question? — bryan, South Africa
Answer

 Might I... is used to ask permission or to make a suggestion in a very formal and polite way.

  • Might I see your credit card, please?
  • Might I recommend the grilled swordfish?
  • Might remind you that this is a library? (an extremely formal and critical way of asking someone to be quiet)

 

Might I ask... is used to ask permission to ask a question, so it is very polite indeed:

  • Might I ask how you heard about our company?

 

There are two other verbs that can be used for the same function as might, but without conveying such extreme formality: may and can. May I is similar to might I and is used in many of the same contexts, but it is less formal. It is also much more common than might I.

  • May I see your driver’s license?
  • May I help you?
  • May I offer you something to drink?

 

Can I is the least formal of the three, as shown in these examples:

  • Might I call you by your first name?  (very formal)
  • May I call you Elizabeth?                   (formal)
  • Can I call you Liz?                             (infomal)

 

 

Archive
You can read more articles in the archive.