ask for return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for return" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a request for something to be returned, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "I would like to ask for the return of my book that I lent you last month."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Language Testing

Health Services

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They always giving something to us, and never ask for return.

Language Testing in Asia

…I think in the society, we should be like the family, like parents and child to give things to other people and not ask for return.

Language Testing in Asia

Consenting patients who still had not responded were telephoned to ask for return of the completed questionnaire, and a number of participants were sent the questionnaire again at this point.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

An obscure 1924 statute includes no exceptions to Neal's authority to ask for returns and says the treasury "shall furnish" them when requested.

The Guardian

Mr. Wildenstein said, "The heirs had not asked for return of the artworks, otherwise I would have returned them".

The New York Times - Arts

Calling the IRS request unfair, opponents are asking for return of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash deposits required to file cases.

Forbes

Besides seeking unspecified damages, the lawsuit asks for return of "all coalition property" still held by the Cliffords and a court order "preventing defendants from disseminating any information about the contents of such property to third parties".

Forbes

The suit asks for return of the 250-pound shipment of seeds from Italy that the state had planned to use for an industrial hemp-growing pilot project.

Huffington Post

He asked for returns covering 2013 through 2018.

The Guardian

But asked for returns net of fees, the bureau said, incredibly, it doesn't calculate them.

Forbes

What might we ask for in return?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When seeking something back, use grammatically sound alternatives like "request the return of" or "inquire about the return of" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Using the phrase "ask for return" can be confusing because it isn't standard English. Always specify what you are asking to be returned (e.g., "ask for the return of the documents").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for return" functions as a verb phrase where 'ask' is the verb and 'for return' is a prepositional phrase acting as its complement. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not standard English, recommending more precise alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "ask for return" aims to express a request for something to be given back, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. Its usage is rare, and it appears across various contexts like science, news, and wiki sources. For clearer and more professional communication, it's best to opt for alternatives like "request the return of" or "inquire about the return of". These alternatives ensure that your message is accurately and effectively conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request the return of

More formal and grammatically correct alternative, specifying that a return is being requested.

inquire about the return of

Similar to "request the return of", but implies a more gentle or investigative approach.

demand the return of

Stronger and more assertive than "ask for return", suggesting a firm expectation.

seek the return of

More formal and less direct, implying an active search or effort to get something back.

call for the return of

Suggests a public or official request for something to be returned.

require the return of

Emphasizes the necessity or obligation for something to be returned.

prompt for return

To cause or encourage return.

solicit the return of

Implies a formal or polite request, often used when the return is not guaranteed.

appeal for the return of

A request motivated by an important cause.

negotiate the return of

Implies a compromise for a specific situation.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to say "ask for return"?

A more grammatically correct way to express the idea of "ask for return" is to use phrases like "request the return of" or "inquire about the return of", specifying what you are asking to be returned.

When is it appropriate to use "ask for return"?

While "ask for return" is not standard English, it might appear in informal contexts or when the meaning is clear from the surrounding words. However, for formal communication, it's best to use alternatives like "request the return of".

How does "demand the return of" differ from "ask for return"?

"Demand the return of" is a stronger phrase than "ask for return" would be if it were correct, conveying a firm insistence or expectation that something should be returned. Using "request the return of" is a more appropriate way to make a polite yet clear request.

Is "ask for return" grammatically correct?

No, "ask for return" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use clearer and more precise phrases such as "request the return of" or "seek the return of" for better clarity.