ask for money

USAGE SUMMARY

"ask for money" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you might write, "He was embarrassed to ask for money but he had no other choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ask for money anyway.

University of California, Berkeley

"So they ask for money".

The New York Times

"Today they ask for money".

The New York Times

Make extravagant claims and ask for money.

Cornell University

How dare they just ask for money?

The Guardian - Opinion

They ask for money, courteously but insistently.

The New Yorker

"They haven't to ask for money from the taxpayer".

The New York Times

Who am I going to ask for money?

The New York Times

They never had to ask for money," he said.

Independent

"I've never been able to ask for money.

Independent

Increasingly, kidnappers with political demands also ask for money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing fundraising appeals, be clear and specific about how the money will be used. Transparency builds trust and encourages donations.

Common error

Don't simply say you "need money". Explain what the funds are for, whether it's for a specific project, covering operational costs, or addressing an urgent need. This provides context and makes your request more compelling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for money" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, serving to express the action of requesting financial resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

22%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for money" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of requesting funds. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academic settings. While direct, it's important to consider the context and audience when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "request funds" or "solicit donations" may be more appropriate in formal situations. Remember to be clear, specific, and transparent when making such requests to build trust and encourage positive responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request funds

A more formal way to "ask for money", often used in business or organizational contexts.

solicit donations

Specifically refers to asking for money for charitable or non-profit purposes.

seek financial assistance

A more polite and formal way to ask for money, often implying a need for support.

apply for funding

Suggests a formal process of requesting money, often through an application.

make a financial appeal

Emphasizes the act of making a public request for money, often due to hardship.

seek investment

Specifically refers to asking for money in exchange for equity or future returns.

borrow money

Implies asking for money with the intention of repaying it in the future.

request a loan

A more formal way to ask to borrow money, often from a bank or financial institution.

hit someone up for cash

An informal and slangy way to ask someone for money.

panhandle

Refers to begging for money in public, typically from strangers.

FAQs

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "request funds", "solicit donations", or "seek financial assistance".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "ask for money"?

The phrase "ask for money" is suitable in many contexts, from informal conversations to more formal requests. However, in professional or charitable settings, using more refined language may be preferable, as mentioned above.

What are some common reasons people "ask for money"?

People "ask for money" for various reasons, including funding projects, covering expenses, seeking investment, or requesting assistance due to financial hardship. The specific reason often dictates the tone and approach of the request.

Is there a negative connotation associated with "ask for money"?

The phrase itself isn't inherently negative, but the perception can depend on the context and the way the request is framed. Being transparent, clear, and respectful can help mitigate any potential negative connotations.