ask for advice

USAGE SUMMARY

"ask for advice" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "I am struggling to make a decision, so I'm going to ask my friends for advice".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who do you ask for advice?

The New York Times

Whom did locals ask for advice?

Harvard Business Review

Ask for advice from older, wiser moms.

The Washington Post

Always find someone who's been recently to ask for advice.

Independent

Do it the old-fashioned way: Ask for advice.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And I'm never afraid to ask for advice".

The Guardian

"Don't ask for a job, ask for advice," recommends Ciudad.

The Guardian

"I missed having a mother to ask for advice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He didn't confide in you or ask for advice?

The Guardian - Music

I decided to use social media to ask for advice.

The Guardian

Ask for advice.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When facing complex decisions, "ask for advice" from individuals with relevant expertise or experience to gain diverse perspectives and make informed choices.

Common error

Avoid becoming overly dependent on others' opinions. While it's wise to "ask for advice", always critically evaluate the input and make decisions that align with your own judgment and values.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for advice" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of seeking guidance or counsel from someone. It is commonly used to express the need for assistance or input in decision-making, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

38%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask for advice" is a versatile and widely used phrase for seeking guidance and recommendations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, from professional to informal. While primarily functioning as a verb phrase, its communicative purpose centers on problem-solving and decision-making. While the phrase appears frequently in the News & Media and Wiki categories, it's important to avoid over-reliance on others' opinions and to critically evaluate all input received. Consider using alternative phrases like "seek guidance" or "request counsel" depending on the formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek guidance

Replaces "ask" with "seek" and "advice" with "guidance", offering a slightly more formal tone.

request counsel

Substitutes "ask" with "request" and "advice" with "counsel", resulting in a more formal and professional expression.

consult someone

Focuses on the act of consulting an individual, implying seeking their advice.

get input

Replaces "ask for advice" with the simpler phrase "get input", emphasizing the reception of ideas or suggestions.

solicit recommendations

Replaces "ask" with "solicit" and "advice" with "recommendations", suggesting a formal request for suggestions.

turn to for guidance

Emphasizes the act of seeking guidance from a specific source.

enquire for advice

A more formal and British English alternative using "enquire" instead of "ask".

pick someone's brain

An idiomatic expression meaning to ask someone knowledgeable for advice or information.

seek an opinion

Focuses on obtaining an opinion, implying a request for advice.

ask for suggestions

Similar to asking for advice, but specifically focuses on receiving suggestions.

FAQs

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

You can use "ask for advice" to seek guidance, for example, "I'm not sure how to proceed; I should "ask for advice" from a mentor".

What are some alternatives to "ask for advice"?

Instead of "ask for advice", you can use phrases like "seek guidance", "request counsel", or "consult someone" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to "ask for advice"?

It's appropriate to "ask for advice" when facing uncertainty, making critical decisions, or seeking to improve your knowledge or skills in a specific area.

Who should I "ask for advice" from?

Consider "asking for recommendations" from individuals with relevant expertise, mentors, trusted colleagues, or experienced professionals in the field.