ask for a second helping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for a second helping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to requesting an additional portion of food, typically during a meal or at a buffet. Example: "After finishing my plate, I decided to ask for a second helping of the delicious pasta."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

No one will ask for a second helping of Carlo Weisz.

The New York Times - Books

And so we came to pudding: me to strawberries with champagne jelly and lavender panna cotta; Lois to a pavé of white and dark chocolate with raspberries to which she surrendered with such pleasure that for one moment I thought she was going to ask for a second helping.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I ask for a second helping but Adolph offers me something even more exotic: a freshly squeezed seal eyeball.

Huffington Post

They can always ask for a second helping if they are hungry.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

SORRY, but who asked for a second helping?

The Economist

Mr. Roosevelt did not approve but asked for a second helping.

The New Yorker

She asked for a second helping, and I was so pleased".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The biggest difference in their lives is asking for a second helping of pasta and trying to wriggle out of her booster seat.

The Washington Post

At this point a jovial fat guest asked for a second helping (always a compliment to the dinner-party cook), and while he was eating it, his chair collapsed, to the mirth of the others.

The New York Times - Magazine

John Davies was 8 when Lean chose him to play Oliver, the mistreated orphan who asks for a second helping of gruel at the workhouse ("Please, sir, I want some more"), is cast into the street and is later taken to the lair of Fagin (Alec Guinness), the needle-nosed old man who schools boys in picking pockets.

The New York Times - Arts

"Cooking with you is really fun," she said, and then asked for a second helping - of veggies.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ask for a second helping" in contexts where you want to describe a request for an additional portion of food, ensuring it fits the tone and formality of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "help" instead of "helping". "Helping" is the correct noun form in this phrase. Saying "ask for a second help" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for a second helping" functions as a verb phrase indicating a request. Ludwig examples show it being used in contexts related to dining and food consumption. It describes the act of requesting an additional portion of food.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for a second helping" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe requesting an additional portion of food. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While relatively common, it's important to consider the context when using this phrase. It appears frequently in news and media but is uncommon in academic or formal business settings. Related phrases include "request another serving" or simply "take seconds". Be mindful of the formality required by a situation and choose your words accordingly. Remember, "helping" is the correct term to use, and not "help".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a second helping

Focuses on the action of receiving rather than the act of asking.

request another serving

Formal alternative, focusing on the act of requesting.

ask for more food

Direct and simple alternative, suitable for informal situations.

take seconds

Shorter and more casual, implying the act of getting a second portion without explicitly asking.

request a refill

Specifically applies to beverages, implying a replenishment of a drink.

want another piece

Casual question form, often used in informal settings.

would you mind giving me another plate?

Polite and conversational, emphasizing the request as a favor.

ask for a repeat

Implies asking for something to be done or said again.

seek additional support

Extends the idea beyond food to requesting further assistance or resources.

request a second installment

More formal and implies asking for a subsequent part of something, like a payment or a story.

FAQs

How can I politely "ask for a second helping"?

You can politely "request another serving" by saying "May I have another helping, please?" or "Could I have seconds, please?"

What's a less direct way to say "ask for a second helping"?

Instead of directly asking, you could say "I wouldn't mind some more of this" or simply "take seconds" if offered.

Is it appropriate to "ask for a second helping" in formal settings?

In formal settings, it's generally acceptable if offered. A polite way to phrase it is, "This is delicious, may I "request another serving"?"

What's the difference between "ask for a second helping" and "ask for more food"?

"Ask for a second helping" specifically refers to getting an additional portion of something already served. "Ask for more food" is a broader term that could mean asking for more of anything, not necessarily a "get a second helping".