a kind ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a kind ask" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It could be used informally to refer to a request that is considerate or gentle in nature. Example: "I have a kind ask of you; could you please help me with this project?"

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What kind?" asked a woman who sold me a bandanna with pictures of fruit and people having sex on it.

The New Yorker

"A reality show of some kind?" asked MSNBC's Chris Matthews.

The Guardian

Some were kind, asking me how I was, but others took a different tack.

The Guardian

"What kind?" asked the clerk.

The New Yorker

From somewhere, something kind asked, Would you like to go back?

The New Yorker

In the interval a kind adult asked, "Are you enjoying it?" Violently, I replied, "No!" The truth was that I couldn't bear what was happening to the titular heroine.

The Guardian - Music

I had just decided to start heading to the information counter in the middle of the concourse when a kind gentleman asked me if I could use some assistance.

Huffington Post

It's a kind of Ask Me Anything session, with Lewinsky taking questions from an audience of graduate students and HBO staff.

The Guardian - Tech

Is there a kind way to ask for reimbursement or let the bride know that this can be my wedding gift to her? Or should I just stop worrying about it, and send a gift in a few weeks when my finances are in better shape?

The New York Times

I tell him his mother looked like a kind woman and ask, "Do you think she is here now?" "Maybe".

Huffington Post

No. Politely, with a kind smile, you ask the young writer what you can do for him?—a formal question that seems to trouble him, as if it were a riddle.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a kind ask," ensure the context aligns with the informal tone of the phrase. It might not be suitable for highly formal business or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "a kind ask" in formal or professional correspondence where a more direct and conventional phrasing is expected. Opt for alternatives like "a gentle request" or "a polite inquiry" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a kind ask" functions as a noun phrase, where "kind" modifies the noun "ask". It describes the manner in which a request or question is presented, emphasizing its considerate nature. Based on the available examples provided by Ludwig, it is more commonly used in less formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a kind ask" is a phrase used to describe a request or inquiry made in a considerate manner. While grammatically acceptable, it's less common than alternatives like "a gentle request" or "a polite inquiry." Ludwig's analysis suggests it's best suited for informal to neutral contexts where politeness and empathy are emphasized. It may not be appropriate in highly formal or professional settings. While Ludwig AI notes the phrase isn't standard written English, it does appear in credible sources, often within News & Media, Wiki, and Science categories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gentle request

Replaces "ask" with "request" and "kind" with "gentle", emphasizing the mild and considerate nature of the inquiry.

a considerate request

Substitutes "kind" with "considerate", highlighting the thoughtfulness behind the request.

a polite inquiry

Replaces "ask" with "inquiry" and "kind" with "polite", suggesting a formal and courteous approach.

a thoughtful request

Swaps "kind" for "thoughtful", underlining the careful consideration involved in the request.

a courteous question

Replaces "ask" with "question" and "kind" with "courteous", implying a respectful manner of questioning.

a gracious request

Uses "gracious" instead of "kind", adding a layer of elegance and goodwill to the request.

a benevolent inquiry

Substitutes "kind" with "benevolent", suggesting a desire to do good through the inquiry.

a mild request

Emphasizes the gentleness of the request by using the adjective "mild".

a tender inquiry

Replaces "ask" with "inquiry" and "kind" with "tender", suggesting a sensitive and caring approach.

a sympathetic question

Replaces "ask" with "question" and "kind" with "sympathetic", indicating an understanding and compassionate inquiry.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a kind ask" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can replace "a kind ask" with phrases like "a gentle request", "a polite inquiry", or "a considerate request" depending on the specific context.

What does "a kind ask" imply about the person making the request?

"A kind ask" implies that the person making the request is being considerate, gentle, and polite in their approach, showing awareness of the other person's feelings or situation.

Is "a kind ask" grammatically correct?

While "a kind ask" isn't incorrect, it's less common than alternatives like "a kind request". Ludwig AI suggests that the specific choice depends on the desired tone and context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "a kind ask"?

"A kind ask" is appropriate in situations where you want to emphasize politeness and consideration, such as asking a favor from a friend, making a request in a sensitive situation, or when addressing someone you want to show respect to.