ask for apology

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for apology" is not correct in standard English; it should be "ask for an apology." You can use it when you want to request someone to apologize for a mistake or wrongdoing.
Example: "After the misunderstanding, I decided to ask for an apology from my colleague."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"That again and again I have to ask for apology from people, that again and again I have to answer for every bullet," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So far as I know, they have never asked for apology.

The Guardian - Books

People "have to be very specific" when asking for apologies, Mr. Dimon cautioned.

The New York Times

Posing as the victim, agents made contact with "Kil" and he further berated the victim and her mother, asking for apologies — regarding what, it isn't clear.

TechCrunch

I ask for an apology from the religious orders and I ask the Prime Minister of my country to give us an apology, they took my education and they took my identity.

BBC

Is it to ask for an apology?

The New York Times

Dukakis knew better than to ask for an apology.

The New Yorker

I contacted the editor to ask for an apology.

The Guardian

Who do you think you are, to ask for an apology from someone who's trying his heart out?

Independent

She also took center stage after it was revealed that she had called Anita Hill, who accused her husband of sexual harassment, to ask for an apology.

The New York Times

She added that even if no offence was meant, "she can't ask for an apology without suggesting that I did something wrong, and that is offensive".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym like "request" or "seek" if a more formal tone is needed.

Common error

The most common mistake is omitting the article "an" before "apology". Ensure you always say "ask for an apology" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for apology" functions as a request for an apology. Ludwig AI points out that the correct form is "ask for an apology," indicating the phrase's function is to solicit or seek an apology from someone.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for apology" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "ask for an apology". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to request that someone apologize for a mistake or wrongdoing. While it appears in various contexts, including News & Media, it's crucial to remember the definite article "an" for grammatical accuracy. Alternatives such as request an apology or seek an apology may be suitable for more formal situations. Always ensure correct grammar to enhance clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request an apology

More formal and direct.

seek an apology

Implies a more deliberate or persistent effort to obtain an apology.

demand an apology

Stronger and more assertive, implying a right to an apology.

expect an apology

Indicates an anticipation or belief that an apology is warranted.

look for an apology

Similar to "seek," but suggests a more general search or hope for an apology.

be owed an apology

Focuses on the idea that an apology is deserved.

solicit an apology

Formal and somewhat uncommon, suggesting an active attempt to get someone to apologize.

pursue an apology

Emphasizes the active and continued effort to get an apology.

call for an apology

Often used in public contexts, implying a public demand.

deserve an apology

Highlights the justification for receiving an apology.

FAQs

How do I correctly use the phrase "ask for apology" in a sentence?

The correct phrase is "ask for an apology". For example, "After the heated discussion, I decided to "ask for an apology" from my colleague".

What's a more formal way to say "ask for an apology"?

You can use phrases like "request an apology" or "seek an apology" in more formal contexts.

Is there a difference between "ask for an apology" and "demand an apology"?

"Ask for an apology" is a general request, while "demand an apology" implies a stronger assertion that an apology is owed.

When is it appropriate to "call for an apology"?

Calling for an apology is often used in public contexts when you believe someone should publicly apologize for a wrong. It is commonly used to make a "public request for an apology".