ask for seconds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for seconds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of dining, particularly when someone wants to request a second serving of food. Example: "After finishing my plate, I decided to ask for seconds because the meal was so delicious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

People might actually ask for seconds.

The New York Times - Food

When the cafeteria serves it, inmates frequently ask for seconds.

The New York Times

Would the president ask for seconds, the firehouse equivalent of a four-star review?

The New York Times

The bread is outsourced, including olive rolls from Gina's Bakery in Montclair that will make you ask for seconds; Carousel Cakes, in Nanuet, N.Y., augments the cupcake supply.

The New York Times

However, if the small pack of pretzels offered still has you feeling peckish, you can ask for seconds, according to the spokeswoman.

Independent

Nevertheless, it was tempting to be a bit Oliver Twist and ask for seconds from the writer Anthony Spargo and the director Emma Earle.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Cashman said other teams knew not to ask for second baseman Robinson Cano.

The New York Times

"We needed so many repairs that I didn't know what to ask for first," she said.

The New York Times

Wall Street's regulators ask for second chances and promise more effective regulation.

Forbes

Employers shoot themselves in the foot at the very instant they ask for first name and last name.

Huffington Post

In some of them the landlord will ask for first refusal before he lets me offer it to his customers.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about dining experiences, use "ask for seconds" to clearly convey the enjoyment and satisfaction with the food, indicating a desire for more due to its appeal.

Common error

Avoid replacing "ask for seconds" with overly formal alternatives in casual contexts. Using phrases like "request an additional portion" in an informal setting can sound stilted or unnatural. Instead, maintain a conversational tone appropriate to the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for seconds" functions as a request. It's a colloquial way to politely request an additional serving of food after already consuming a portion. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in various dining contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask for seconds" is a common and generally polite phrase used to request an additional serving of food. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse media, primarily in the News & Media category. While generally neutral in tone, context matters, and there are more formal and informal alternatives available such as "request another helping", depending on the situation. Remember to avoid overly formal phrasing in casual settings and be mindful of social cues when making the request.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask for more

A direct, simple way of requesting additional quantity.

request another helping

Replaces "ask" with a more formal "request" and "seconds" with "another helping", emphasizing politeness.

want a second serving

Uses "want" instead of "ask", focusing on the desire for more food; "serving" is a synonym for "seconds".

desire a further portion

Employs more formal vocabulary like "desire" and "portion", suitable for more refined contexts.

care for more

A polite and indirect way to inquire about wanting more food or drink.

get more of that

A simple way to express the wish for an additional quantity.

have a refill

Specifically refers to replenishing a drink, but can be used metaphorically for food.

take another piece

Suggests taking an additional item, especially when the food comes in individual pieces.

opt for a second round

Implies a choice to repeat the initial serving, often used in a social setting.

request a top-up

A casual way of requesting additional quantity, especially in the UK.

FAQs

How can I politely "ask for seconds"?

You can politely "ask for seconds" by saying "May I have some more, please?" or "If there's any left, I'd love another serving".

Is it rude to "ask for seconds"?

It's generally not considered rude to "ask for seconds", especially if the host encourages it. However, be mindful of others and ensure everyone has had a chance to eat before requesting more.

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

A more formal way to say "ask for seconds" is to "request another helping" or "inquire about a second serving".

When is it appropriate to "ask for seconds"?

It's appropriate to "ask for seconds" when you genuinely enjoyed the food and want more, and when it's clear there's enough for everyone to have another serving. Be observant and considerate of the situation.