Chunk: may I borrow
Meaning & Usage
May I borrow is the standard high-frequency politeness formula for requesting temporary use of another's property with the implicit guarantee of returning it. As a formal and courteous modal frame (may + I + borrow + [item]), it demonstrates the inward vector of borrowing (take in) in everyday spoken English.
🧲 Common Collocates
- Frequent Patterns: May I borrow your [item]?, May I borrow [item] for a moment / second?, May I borrow [item] from you?
- High-Frequency Objects: pen, phone charger, laptop, car, umbrella, jacket, notes, book.
- Boundary Contrast: Represents an inward request made by the borrower. It cannot be inverted to ❌ "Can you borrow me...?" (use lend for outward requests: "Could you lend me...?").
💬 Contextual Examples
- May I borrow* your phone charger for a moment?*
- Excuse me, may I borrow your pen to sign this arrival form?
- If you are not using it this evening, may I borrow your umbrella?
🎴 Interactive Web Practice
Practice 1: Excuse me, ______ I borrow your pen to fill out this customs declaration?
Answer:
may (or May) Practice 2: May I ______ your laptop charger for half an hour? My battery is critically low.
Answer:
borrow Practice 3: May I borrow a copy of the agenda ______ you before the meeting begins?
Answer:
from 🔗 Knowledge Base Connections
- 🔑 Parent Node: Borrow
- ⚖️ Related Discrimination: borrow-vs-lend