ask for discount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for discount" is not entirely correct in written English; it should be "ask for a discount." You can use it when requesting a reduction in price for a product or service.
Example: "When you visit the store, don't hesitate to ask for a discount on the items you want to purchase."

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To get the rates, customers must call the Leading Hotels at [phone] and ask for discount code L09, and pay in full when booking.

The New York Times - Travel

Ask for discount.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But it can pay off to ask for discounts and deals in other places.

The New York Times

And they ask for discounts or capped fees at places like Weil, which charge more than $1,000 an hour for some partners' work.

The New York Times

They frequently ask for discounts from their outside law firms, which charge, at the high end, more than $1,000 an hour for a top partner's services.

The New York Times

Ask for discounts Your trusty NUS extra card can stretch your money a long way when you take it out with you, but not every shop is on there.

Independent

The big carriers enjoy a loyal core of customers who pay escalating basic rates and rarely ask for discounts.

Forbes

6) Ask for discounts and special offers on everything.

Huffington Post

"Yes, but not as annoying as when customers ask for discounts.

Huffington Post

It doesn't hurt to call customer service and ask for discounts, stressing your continued loyalty to the company and even threatening to leave if they can't lower their prices.

Huffington Post

Ask for discounts for buying a bed set.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine your request with an immediate action, like paying in cash, to motivate the seller to agree with your request.

Common error

Remember to use the article 'a' before "discount". Saying "ask for a discount" is grammatically correct and sounds more natural than "ask for discount."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for discount" functions primarily as a request. Although grammatically incorrect, it conveys the intention to inquire about or negotiate a lower price. Ludwig notes that the correct way to phrase this would be "ask for a discount".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for discount", while widely used, is considered grammatically questionable and requires an article before the word "discount". As Ludwig confirms, "ask for a discount" is the correct form. This phrase is predominantly found in informal contexts such as Wiki articles and news media, serving the purpose of initiating price negotiations. In more formal settings, alternatives like "request a discount" are preferred to maintain a professional tone. Remember to always be polite when "asking for a discount", and consider offering an incentive, like immediate cash payment, to increase your chances of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request a discount

Replaces "ask" with the more formal "request", increasing formality.

inquire about a discount

Uses "inquire about" to soften the request, making it more polite.

seek a price reduction

Replaces "discount" with "price reduction", emphasizing the desired outcome.

negotiate for a lower price

Highlights the negotiation aspect of seeking a discount.

try to get a better deal

Focuses on obtaining a more favorable price, broadening the scope beyond just discounts.

see if there are any deals available

Shifts the focus to checking for existing offers rather than directly asking for a discount.

check for special offers

Similar to the above, but specifically targets promotional offers.

ask about promotional rates

Specifically targets promotional rates and deals.

explore options for price cuts

Offers a broader range of strategies for lowering the price.

look for cost savings

Emphasizes the overall goal of reducing expenses.

FAQs

How to use "ask for discount" in a sentence?

While commonly used, it's better to say "ask for a discount". For example: "Don't hesitate to "ask for a discount" when making a large purchase."

Is it rude to "ask for discount"?

It's generally acceptable to "ask for a discount", especially in certain contexts like flea markets or when buying in bulk. However, always be polite and respectful.

What's the difference between "ask for a discount" and "request a discount"?

"Ask for a discount" is more informal, while "request a discount" is more formal. Use the latter in professional settings.

What can I say instead of "ask for discount" in a formal email?

In a formal email, you can say "inquire about a discount" or "request a discount" to maintain a professional tone.