ask for assurance

USAGE SUMMARY

'ask for assurance' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to request reassurance or confirmation that something is true. For example, "I asked for assurance that the project would be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Republicans as well as Democrats will ask for assurance that the next chief won't be a White House stooge.

Los Angeles Times

People who are high in insecurity usually short of confidence about the security of new technologies and they often ask for assurance [ 69].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Ask for assurance of quality before you go.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In 1906, a delegation of Muslim leaders headed by the Aga Khan called on the new Viceroy of India, Lord Minto, to assure him of their loyalty and to ask for assurances that in any political reforms they would be protected from the "unsympathetic [Hindu] majority".

Wikipedia

"I don't think you can ever ask for assurances on time.

The Guardian - Sport

I did not ask for assurances from these individuals that they would agree with me at all times.

The New York Times

3.44pm: Hague says Britain should ask for assurances that Israel will not repeat counterfeits and wonders whether British passports are more susceptible to forgery.

The Guardian

Sir Richard Ottoway didn't respond to The Independent's request for comment but told the London Evening Standard: "We got in touch to ask for assurances about security issues and she failed to give those assurances.

Independent

However, during the lengthy delay before the deal was agreed, Hunt intervened to ask for assurances from the head of the primary care trust "that the delay is to ensure the best possible outcome for patients and staff".

The Guardian

Nor did it give a definitive view on whether promises made by torturers deserve to be taken at face value, though it did concede there was something of a catch-22 in the fact that "if you need to ask for assurances you cannot rely on them".

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is not mitigation for the job cuts at BAE, that has to be a separate agreement... and I've written to the prime minister to ask for assurances for additional work to be coming into the dockyard in Portsmouth".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for assurance", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific aspect requires confirmation or a guarantee. This avoids ambiguity and clarifies the expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for assurance" in casual conversations where a simple request for confirmation would suffice. The phrase carries a formal tone and may sound unnatural in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for assurance" functions as a requestive expression, primarily used to solicit confirmation or guarantees regarding a particular matter. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's employed to seek reassurance. The provided examples show its use in seeking guarantees from authorities or confirmation of certain outcomes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask for assurance" is a grammatically correct and usable expression employed to request confirmation or guarantees. Ludwig AI validates this, and the phrase's frequency is classified as uncommon. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. When employing this phrase, ensuring clarity in the request and avoiding overuse in informal settings are key. Alternatives like "seek reassurance", "request confirmation", and "seek a guarantee" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek reassurance

Focuses on alleviating doubts or anxieties through confirmation.

request confirmation

Focuses on seeking factual verification rather than a broader guarantee.

seek a guarantee

Highlights the desire for a formal promise or certainty.

demand a commitment

Emphasizes the need for a firm pledge or obligation.

look for a promise

Implies seeking a verbal or written pledge for future action.

require a pledge

Stresses the necessity of a formal declaration or undertaking.

demand guarantees

Highlights the need for certainties on something to be secured.

solicit affirmation

Indicates seeking a positive declaration or validation.

request validation

Emphasizes the need for formal approval or authentication.

inquire about certainty

Questions the degree of sureness or reliability.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ask for assurance" in a more casual way?

In informal contexts, you could use phrases like "check", "confirm", or simply "make sure". For example, instead of "I'll ask for assurance that the package will arrive on time", you could say "I'll check if the package will arrive on time".

What does it mean to "ask for assurance"?

To "ask for assurance" means to request a guarantee or confirmation that something is true, will happen, or is safe. It implies seeking reassurance to alleviate doubt or uncertainty.

Is it redundant to say "ask for assurances"?

No, it's not redundant. Using the plural "assurances" suggests that you are seeking multiple guarantees or confirmations regarding different aspects of a situation. Whether to use the singular or plural depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to /s/ask+for+assurances instead of directly asking for something?

It is appropriate to "ask for assurances" when you need a formal guarantee or confirmation, especially in situations involving uncertainty or risk. It's more about seeking a pledge than a simple piece of information. For example, one might "ask for assurances" that data will be handled securely, or that a project will be completed within a specified timeframe.