a legitimate ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate ask" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a request or demand that is reasonable or justified. Example: "While I understand your concerns, I believe that asking for additional resources is a legitimate ask given the project's scope."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As crowdfunding consultant Sydney Malawer put it, "Do you have a legitimate ask besides 'we want money'?" People want to feel as though they are a part of something bigger than themselves, and they want to know that their money is instrumental in accomplishing that goal.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If you're not sure if a price is legitimate, ask a moderator or administrator.

WikiHow

If you are concerned that an ad does not look legitimate, ask someone you trust to look it over.

WikiHow

If you're not sure whether the place is legitimate, ask for the abortion provider's name and confirm that he or she is a board-certified obstetrician.[3].

WikiHow

In that case, since the foreign spouse finds themself in Canada for a legitimate reason, asking for the exception of inland processing is not regarded as out of line.

Forbes

" 'Evan, what are you doing?' is a legitimate question to ask, but the critic never asked me," Mr. Maurer said, recalling a vicious review in a local newspaper.

The New York Times - Arts

"I think it was a legitimate question to ask, there's no harm in asking a question," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

In this day of greater recognition of the harm that medicine can inflict, it is a legitimate question to ask every doctor, "Does your patient need this drug or this intervention?" But doctors as an arm of Border Protection?

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a perfectly legitimate to ask for a sample that you can try before you spend money on filling a prescription.

HuffPost

"That would be a legitimate question to ask," Blower said.

The Guardian

If not, then you've got a legitimate question to ask.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a legitimate ask", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis for the request's legitimacy. Providing supporting reasons or evidence strengthens the justification.

Common error

Avoid presenting a request as "a legitimate ask" without articulating why it is reasonable or justified. Failing to do so can weaken your argument and invite skepticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate ask" functions as a noun phrase, where "legitimate" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "ask". It describes the nature of the request, implying that it is reasonable and justified. Ludwig identifies this usage as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate ask" is a noun phrase that denotes a request or demand that is reasonable and justified. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves to assert the validity of a request. While relatively rare, its usage spans across news, wiki and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the basis for the request's legitimacy to avoid potential skepticism. Alternatives such as "a reasonable request" or "a valid demand" can also be considered depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable request

Replaces 'ask' with 'request', focusing on the reasonableness of the demand.

a valid demand

Substitutes 'legitimate' with 'valid' and 'ask' with 'demand', emphasizing the justification of the request.

a justified claim

Uses 'justified' instead of 'legitimate' and 'claim' instead of 'ask', highlighting the basis for the request.

a warranted expectation

Replaces 'legitimate ask' with 'warranted expectation', suggesting a reasonable anticipation.

a fair request

Uses 'fair' instead of 'legitimate', focusing on the impartiality of the request.

a warranted appeal

Emphasizes the justification of the appeal rather than the request itself.

a valid proposition

Focuses on the validity of the underlying proposal, rather than the act of asking.

a justifiable need

Shifts the focus to the underlying need that makes the request legitimate.

a well-founded request

Uses 'well-founded' to emphasize the solid basis of the request.

a supportable claim

Highlights the ability to support the claim being made, rather than the act of asking.

FAQs

What does "a legitimate ask" mean?

A "legitimate ask" refers to a request or demand that is considered reasonable, justified, or valid given the circumstances. It implies that there is a sound basis for making the request.

How can I determine if my request is "a legitimate ask"?

Assess whether your request aligns with established guidelines, ethical principles, or reasonable expectations. Consider providing supporting evidence or reasoning to demonstrate its validity.

What are some alternatives to saying "a legitimate ask"?

You can use alternatives like "a reasonable request", "a valid demand", or "a justified claim" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to describe a request as "a legitimate ask"?

No, it's crucial to ensure that the request genuinely meets the criteria of legitimacy. Overusing the phrase or applying it to questionable requests can undermine your credibility.