ask for pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting compensation or payment for work or services rendered. Example: "After completing the project, I decided to ask for pay for my efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It can be hard to ask for pay.

Independent

Talking to friends who work across different industries, the reluctance to ask for pay rises is depressingly common.

The Guardian

So there'd be a person for whom we'd have to ask for pay rises, dump partners, apologise for drunken behaviour and ask relatives to borrow money.

The Guardian - Opinion

The permanent workers - around 100 African, Eastern European and Indian workers - don't usually ask for pay rises, for fear of losing their jobs.

The Guardian - Money

Men and women ask for pay increases at the same rate, according to a new study, which seems to debunk one of the most common explanations cited for the persistence of a gender wage gap.

The Guardian

That means they can both ask for pay raises for upcoming movies.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Directive contains several parts, including another concerning "link tax," which gives publishers the right to ask for paid licenses when online platforms share their articles and stories.

TechCrunch

The New Wave: London Black reporttionariesuggested

Vice

Speaking for victims of violence, she added: "I'm not even asking for pay.

The New York Times

"Female employees are less confident asking for pay rises and talking about achievements".

The Guardian

Most are on minimum-wage salaries, but many have asked for pay rises and recently downed tools in protest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before you "ask for pay", research industry standards for similar roles and experience levels to ensure your request is reasonable and well-informed.

Common error

Avoid "asking for pay" immediately after starting a new job or before demonstrating your value to the company. Build a track record of success first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for pay" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of requesting compensation for work or services. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to describe the act of requesting wages or a salary.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for pay" is a grammatically sound and generally acceptable way to describe requesting compensation for work. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely frequent, it's common enough, particularly in news and media. When writing, be mindful of the context and consider alternatives like "request payment" or "seek compensation" for more formal situations. Make sure to research appropriate salary benchmarks before you "ask for pay" and don't make the request too early in a new job.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request payment

Formal alternative, focusing on the act of requesting.

seek compensation

Emphasizes the right to be compensated for work or services.

demand remuneration

A stronger, more formal way of asking for pay.

negotiate salary

Focuses on the discussion aspect of determining pay.

pursue earnings

Highlights the effort to gain income.

solicit wages

A somewhat old-fashioned and formal way of asking for pay.

claim income

Stresses the legitimacy of the pay request.

expect compensation

Implies an anticipation of payment based on an agreement or expectation.

inquire about salary

Focuses on the act of asking about payment without necessarily demanding it.

put in a claim for salary

Suggests a formal request, perhaps through an official channel.

FAQs

How do I use "ask for pay" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for pay" in a sentence like, "After completing the project, I will "ask for pay" for my work."

What can I say instead of "ask for pay"?

You can use alternatives like "request payment", "seek compensation", or "negotiate salary" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to "ask for pay" during a first job interview?

It's generally not recommended to "ask for pay" explicitly during the very first job interview. It is better to discuss salary expectations later in the hiring process, once you have a better understanding of the role and the company.

What's the difference between "ask for pay" and "demand remuneration"?

"Ask for pay" is a neutral and common way to request payment. "Demand remuneration" is stronger and more formal, implying a right or entitlement to payment. The latter might be used when there is a dispute or legal basis for the payment.