ask again

USAGE SUMMARY

"ask again" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you want to encourage someone to repeat and/or clarify something they have said. For example, "I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand - could you please ask again?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And don't ask again.

The Guardian - Money

'Jamie, I'll ask again.

The Guardian - Sport

So I ask again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We'll ask again later".

The New York Times

I ask again, why not?

The New York Times

I ask again about Hollywood.

The Guardian

We ask again, really, GQ?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"How much?" they ask again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I will not ask again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(Answer hazy. Ask again later).

The Guardian - Sport

Magic 8 Ball: Concentrate and ask again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting clarification, use "ask again" to politely prompt the speaker to rephrase or elaborate on their initial statement. It's a versatile phrase applicable in diverse communication scenarios.

Common error

Ensure the context is clear when using "ask again". If the reason for repeating the question is due to misunderstanding, explicitly state it to avoid frustrating the other person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask again" primarily functions as an imperative, urging someone to repeat a question or request. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and common across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

30%

Huffington Post

21%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask again" is a grammatically correct and frequently used imperative to request clarification or repetition. Ludwig AI validates its common usage across varied contexts. While its formality is generally neutral, more sophisticated alternatives are available for professional settings. Predominantly featured in News & Media, it offers a straightforward way to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

re-ask the question

A simple and direct alternative that retains the core meaning of asking again.

try asking again

This phrase adds a sense of suggestion or encouragement to repeat the question.

request once more

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

inquire again

This is a more formal synonym for "ask again".

reiterate the question

This suggests a more formal or insistent tone in repeating the query.

would you mind repeating the question

This option is a polite way of asking someone to say the question once more.

repeat your inquiry

Similar to "reiterate", this option is more formal and emphasizes the act of questioning.

pose the question a second time

A slightly more verbose way of saying "ask again", suitable for formal contexts.

put the question forward again

This is a more elaborate way of phrasing the action of asking again.

ask anew

A slightly more literary or archaic way to express asking again.

FAQs

How can I use "ask again" in a sentence?

You can use "ask again" to politely request someone to repeat a question, such as, "I didn't hear you clearly, could you "ask again"?" or "If you're still unsure, feel free to "ask again" later."

What's a formal way to say "ask again"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "reiterate the question" or "repeat your inquiry" instead of ""ask again"" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it ever impolite to say "ask again"?

While generally polite, repeating ""ask again"" excessively without acknowledging previous responses might seem impatient or dismissive. Ensure you're actively listening and responding appropriately.

What's the difference between ""ask again"" and "repeat the question"?

"Ask again" is a general request to pose a question another time. "Repeat the question" specifically asks for the same question to be voiced again, often because it wasn't heard or understood the first time.