you have the floor

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseformal

   used to tell someone that they may now speak to the group, especially in a formal meeting or debate

   Grammar: Said by a chairperson or moderator; the pronoun can change: 'Ms. Lee has the floor.'

   Patterns

   • you have the floor
   • give someone the floor
   • have the floor

   Thank you for waiting. You have the floor, Dr. Ahmed.

   The chair said, 'You have the floor for five minutes.'

   Once you have the floor, please state your name before speaking.

2. 2phraseidiomformal

   to be the person who is currently speaking or has the right to speak

   Grammar: Often used in the third person: 'She has the floor.'

   Patterns

   • someone has the floor
   • yield the floor to someone

   Senator Park has the floor, so please hold your questions.

   He refused to yield the floor until his report was finished.

Common combinations

give someone the floor

The moderator gave her the floor for a short reply.

have the floor

Only one member may have the floor at a time.

yield the floor

The speaker agreed to yield the floor to a colleague.

take the floor

The director took the floor to explain the new budget.

Synonyms and how they differ

you may speak

A plain permission phrase; 'you have the floor' is more formal and suggests an official right to speak in a meeting.

the floor is yours

Nearly the same meaning, but it is usually said by a host or chairperson and sounds slightly more conversational.

Commonly confused: you have the floor or take the floor?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “you have the floor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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