ask for a proof

USAGE SUMMARY

"ask for a proof" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to request evidence or confirmation for something. It is typically used in formal or academic settings. Example: Before accepting the new theory, the scientific community asked for a proof of its validity.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One can ask for a rigorous proof (or disproof) of it.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

In the case of every concept, as in the case of every proof, one can in turn ask for a concept and a proof of the same.

SEP

For these, students may rightfully ask for a justification, or a proof, for why the result is true.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

"I couldn't have asked for a better proof of concept," Dr. Widder said.

The New York Times - Science

You also can't ask for proof that a person is disabled or a demonstration of an animal's "tasks".

The New York Times - Magazine

Others, including Boston, will not ask for proof, allowing a couple to marry if they simply sign a form saying they intend to move to Massachusetts, an approach Mr. Romney initially rejected but later said was acceptable.

The New York Times

We ask for proof of a God.

Huffington Post

However, Damerla also said Wednesday that business owners would still have the final say over what's allowed on their premises, and could ask for proof of a prescription.

Vice

During a stint as a waiter, Mr. Flax fails to ask for proof of age when a young Japanese tourist orders a beer, forgets whether the restaurant serves Pepsi or Coke and is flummoxed when he has to take care of four tables at the same time.

The New York Times

Closer to home, on March 1 Barbados began requiring Americans to have a valid passport when visiting, and Mr. Caplan said he has heard from clients who were asked for a passport or proof of citizenship when traveling to Canada.

The New York Times - Travel

When you ask for real proof, there isn't any.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for a proof", consider the context. It's suitable for formal or academic discussions where evidence is required.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for a proof" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "Can you prove it?" or "Do you have evidence?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for a proof" functions as a request for evidence or validation. Ludwig indicates this is grammatically correct, although perhaps less common than the unquantified form.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "ask for a proof" is not particularly common. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to request evidence or confirmation for something. It's best suited for formal or academic settings where specific validation is needed. Consider more common alternatives like "request evidence" or "demand substantiation" to enhance clarity and impact. The absence of examples in Ludwig underlines its relative infrequency in contemporary usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request evidence

Focuses directly on the act of requesting evidence, omitting the specific term "proof".

ask for validation

Requests an act of checking or proving the validity or accuracy of something.

demand evidence

Directly calls for the presentation of facts supporting a claim, without using "proof".

demand substantiation

Emphasizes a stronger, more assertive request for supporting information.

seek verification

Highlights the pursuit of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

inquire about validation

Implies a formal or official process of seeking confirmation.

look for confirmation

Suggests a broader search for anything that confirms the statement.

solicit confirmation

Implies formally asking for an affirmation.

seek substantiation

Highlights actively searching for evidence to support a claim.

require justification

Insists on a reason or explanation for an action or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "ask for a proof" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for a proof" in contexts where you need someone to provide evidence or validation for a claim. For instance, "The scientist had to ask for a proof of the new theorem before accepting it".

What's a more common way to say "ask for a proof"?

Instead of "ask for a proof", you can use alternatives like "request evidence" or "demand substantiation", depending on the level of formality you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "ask for a proof"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but less common than saying "ask for proof". The indefinite article "a" emphasizes the need for a single, specific piece of evidence.

When is it appropriate to use "ask for a proof" versus "ask for proof"?

"Ask for a proof" is appropriate when referring to a specific instance of proof, while "ask for proof" is more general. For instance, "They ask for proof of identity" is general, whereas "They ask for a proof of purchase" refers to a specific receipt.