Could you ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Could you ask" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to make a polite request for someone to inquire about something on your behalf. Example: "Could you ask the manager if we can extend the deadline for the project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Could you ask her who the father is?" Not my father but the father.

The New Yorker

Could you ask a friend to spend a certain day a week with you, regularly, one-on-one?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Could you ask these people what their first jobs were?

Forbes

Could you ask for more?

Huffington Post

Could you ask others?

WikiHow

Could you ask people, hold a fundraiser, or get a job?

WikiHow

What more could you ask for, really?

The Guardian - Music

What kinds of real crimes could you ask about?

The New Yorker

For God's sake, what more could you ask for, huh?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

What else could you possibly ask for?

The Guardian - Sport

What more could you possibly ask for?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Could you ask" to initiate a request when you need someone to act as an intermediary to obtain information or assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "Could you ask" when a direct question to the intended recipient is more appropriate. Overusing it can make your communication sound less direct and potentially inefficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Could you ask" functions as a polite interrogative, used to request someone to make an inquiry on your behalf. It seeks to delegate the act of asking to another person. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Could you ask" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for politely requesting someone to make an inquiry on your behalf, as validated by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. To enhance clarity, always specify what you want the person to ask about. Alternatives like "Would you mind asking" can provide a more polite tone. Avoid overusing this phrase when a direct question would be more efficient. Although Ludwig shows a few examples, the phrase remains relatively rare, but is appropriate for various situations needing a polite request for information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Would you mind asking

This alternative uses a more polite phrasing with 'would you mind'.

Can you inquire

This is a more direct and concise way of asking someone to find out information.

Would it be possible to ask

This option adds a layer of formality and politeness.

Are you able to ask

This focuses on the ability of the person to perform the request.

Could you find out

This shifts the focus to obtaining information rather than just asking.

Please inquire

A straightforward and polite request to seek information.

Can you check

Implies a need to verify or confirm something.

If you don't mind, ask

Adds a conditional element expressing hesitation.

I was wondering if you could ask

Introduces the question with a prelude to soften the request.

Would you be willing to ask

This focuses on the willingness of the person to perform the request.

FAQs

What's the difference between "Could you ask" and "Could you tell"?

"Could you ask" implies that you want someone to inquire on your behalf, while "Could you tell" means you are directly asking them for information they might already possess. The first requires an intermediary, the second does not.

What can I say instead of "Could you ask" to be more direct?

For a more direct approach, you can use phrases like "Can you find out", "Please inquire", or simply ask the question yourself if possible.

How to make "Could you ask" sound more polite?

You can soften the request by using phrases like "Would you mind asking" or "I was wondering if you could ask". These add a layer of politeness and consideration.

Is it correct to use "Could you ask to" instead of "Could you ask"?

The phrase "Could you ask to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "Could you ask", followed by what you want the person to inquire about. For example, "Could you ask about the deadline?". Or you can use alternatives like Can you inquire