Excuse me, can I ask a question?

Meaning: This means asking for permission to ask someone a question, showing politeness and respect.

Choice of Words: Excuse is used to apologize for an interruption or to ask for permission to do something. Ask means to request information or an opinion from someone. Question is a sentence or phrase that asks for information.

Alternative Expressions

May I ask a question?

Meaning: This means to ask someone if you can request information from them. It's a more polite way of saying, Can I ask you something?

Choice of Words: May is a modal verb that expresses permission or possibility. I is a pronoun that refers to the speaker. Ask is a verb that means to request information or an opinion. A is an indefinite article that refers to one unspecified thing. Question is a noun that refers to a request for information.

Could I ask a question?

Meaning: This means to ask someone if you can request information from them. It's a more tentative way of asking than saying, Can I ask you something?

Choice of Words: Could is a modal verb that expresses possibility or suggestion. I is a pronoun that refers to the speaker. Ask is a verb that means to request information or an opinion. A is an indefinite article that refers to one unspecified thing. Question is a noun that refers to a request for information.

Related Expressions