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by Anonymous on February 21st, 2005

Anonymous

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Which is correct, "May I speak WITH Ms. Smith?" or "May I speak TO Ms. Smith?"

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Answers. 11 helpful answers below.

  • by Marina1986 on June 9th, 2010

    Marina1986

    i think both are correct ..

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  • by questiontag on April 19th, 2010

    questiontag

    Both are correct.
    you say may I speak with if you are speaking with the person you want to speak with i.e may I speak with you?
    and if you are calling up someone you say may i speak to Mr Jones please?

    If you are on the phone = TO
    If you are in person = WITH

    "May I speak with" is informal. It is implying that you already know the person you want to speak with. "May I speak to" is formal.

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  • by Randy D on September 13th, 2009

    Randy D

    The correct (and polite) answer is "with".

    The reason for it is that "to" denotes that you will do all of the talking and Mrs Smith will be expected to keep her fat mouth shut and listen to what you have to say.

    When one speaks 'with' another person, it is a conversation in which both parties have input, back and forth.

    Think of it as directional. 'To' is one way; 'with' is two way.

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  • by go green be part of the solution on September 17th, 2007

    go green be part of the solution

    To, is Most correct,

    though both can be correct, depending on context.

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  • by notmrjohn on November 5th, 2007

    notmrjohn

    Neither, the correct form is, " Lemmee talk at Mz Jones."

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  • by keep_on_dancing_to_the_tune_of_life on November 17th, 2009

    keep_on_dancing_to_the_tune_of_life

    To can be use if you wish to speak to someone, WITH can also be use and the request always translated as plural of respect. . . in us filipinos, we often say "nila" which is "them or they by translation" if talking to elderly (older than the speaker) often to their parents. .
    "Sino po ang hinahap NILA" -TAGALOG))
    "Who are they looking for?. ." -ENGLISH))
    though, obviously we're speaking to a people on the next line that is alone ofcourse, unless the caller is in a conference call

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  • by Anonymous on November 5th, 2007

    Anonymous

    May i speak to is the perfect way of addressing...

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  • by ajithnavaloor on July 24th, 2010

    ajithnavaloor

    May i speak to MS Smith,please?..the other one is that u know the person already

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  • by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on July 24th, 2010

    DA BEN DAN yanggui zi

    both are equally correct.

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  • by lizi on September 17th, 2007

    lizi

    MAY I SPEAK TO MS. SMITH?

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  • by Chaysgirl24 on November 5th, 2007

    Chaysgirl24

    May I speak to Ms. Smith...I think!

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