may I know ...

[GUEST2008]

Hi

1. May I know where are you from and how old are you?

2. May I know where you're from and how old you are?

Which is correct?

[engee30]

Hi

1. May I know where are you from and how old are you?

2. May I know where you're from and how old you are?

Which is correct?

The second sentence as it stands is correct.

[MrPedantic]

Hello Guest,

Both are fine grammatically; but the expression "May I know...?" is characteristic of non-native forms of English. You would be more likely to hear "Could you tell me...?" or "May I ask...?" from native speakers.

All the best,

MrP

[MrPedantic]

Apologies, Guest: I misread the first sentence.

Although the word order in the first sentence is often heard, the word order in the second sentence is generally considered more "correct".

MrP

[GUEST2008]

Although the word order in the first sentence is often heard, the word order in the second sentence is generally considered more "correct".

MrP

But does it mean that the 1st sentence is also correct?

[BobK]

... the expression "May I know...?" is characteristic of non-native forms of English. You would be more likely to hear "Could you tell me...?" or "May I ask...?" from native speakers.

All the best,

MrP

I agree about 'May I know...', but native speaker's do use 'Might I ask..?' and even - perhaps - 'Might I know...' (although, now I think of it, 'May I ask...?' precedes a potentially embarrassing question [like "How old are you?"] whereas 'Might I know...' can be used when asking someone to justify themselves: 'Might I know what you're doing here at this time of night?')

b