May i speak with vs may I speak to

Question

I'm confused which is more approrpriate to use when asking to speak with someone over the phone.  Hope anyone can share some thoughts.  May I speak with ..... or should use May I speak to .... ?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I'm confused which is more approrpriate to use when asking to speak with someone over the phone. Hope anyone can share some thoughts.

May I speak with .. or should use May I speak to .. ?

In this context, there's no real difference.

For a business phone call, I often say 'I'd like to talk to Tom Smith, please'.

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

thanks <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Jesryl Cainong · Answer

If you are having a conversation in a business or professional situations the more appropriate choice would be may i speak with it since it denotes a two-way communication wherein two people will be responding and talking to each other like the speaker or the caller would be asking information from the one being called and the one being called will respond to it while may i speak to denotes a one-way conversation and it's it's applicable for speakers giving an inspirational talk on a stage where he would have to speak and the audience would only have to listen.

May i speak with vs may I speak to

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