ask

USAGE SUMMARY

"ask" is an entirely correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as either a verb or a noun. For example: "Please ask the teacher any questions you may have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Business

Travel

Opinion

Tech

Film

Money

Books

Education

Society

UK News

World News

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Ask yourself: if I were a Chinese spy, why wouldn't I have flown directly into Beijing?

The New York Times

Ask Daisy.

The New York Times

Don't ask why.

The New York Times

We ask therefore that the privacy of his family is respected in the coming days.

The Guardian

I ask.

The New York Times

If there are questions then clearly Mo is going to ask those questions.

The Guardian - Sport

"You can't just ask people to behave ethically just like that".

The Guardian - Sport

"I would also ask the chief constable, in light of this attack, to revise his position in respect of loyalist paramilitaries who are clearly flouting the terms of their ceasefire.

The Guardian

So next time you hear someone mouthing off about bloody immigrants, ask how many kids they have, how old they were when they had them and whether or not they expect those children to look after them when they get seriously old.

The Guardian

Nor did they have enough balls: Fifa had supplied 25 of the new Tango España balls to each participating nation but none of the ones allocated to El Salvador made it as far as the players, who had to ask Hungary to lend them a couple so they could practise before their first match.

The Guardian - Sport

He would always ask people, who is your hero?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask" to request something, be specific and polite to increase the likelihood of a positive response.

Common error

Ensure it's clear who the question is directed to. For example, instead of saying "Ask about the price", specify "Ask the salesperson about the price".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ask" is as a verb, used to inquire, request, or seek information. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its versatile use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Business

8%

Travel

7%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask" is a versatile verb commonly used to inquire, request, or seek information across diverse contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is standard English. Ludwig examples demonstrate "ask" frequent usage in News & Media and Sport, reflecting its widespread applicability. When using "ask", clarity is paramount, as the subject of the question must be known by the interlocutor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inquire

Focuses on seeking information through formal questioning.

Enquire

A more formal synonym for asking, often used in official contexts.

Question

Emphasizes the act of posing a query to elicit a response.

Query

Implies seeking clarification or confirmation.

Request

Highlights the act of formally asking for something.

Solicit

Suggests a more proactive and sometimes persuasive form of asking.

Appeal

Involves making a heartfelt or urgent request.

Seek

Emphasizes the effort to find or obtain something, including information.

Petition

A formal request made to an authority.

Probe

Suggests a detailed and thorough investigation through questioning.

FAQs

How to use "ask" in a sentence?

You can use "ask" in various ways, such as "Can I ask you a question?", "I need to ask for help", or "They ask too much of me".

What can I say instead of "ask"?

You can use alternatives like "inquire", "request", or "enquire" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ask" or "aks"?

"Ask" is the standard and correct form. "Aks" is a non-standard pronunciation and spelling, generally considered incorrect in formal writing and speech.

What's the difference between "ask" and "demand"?

"Ask" implies a request that may or may not be granted, while "demand" suggests a forceful request that expects compliance. Asking is more polite and less assertive than demanding.