ask for support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting assistance or help from someone, whether in a personal or professional context. Example: "If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to ask for support from your colleagues or friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Don't be afraid to ask for support or extra training.

The Guardian

Fundraising only works if you actually ask for support.

The Guardian

Eco-design is now popular and companies ask for support in implementing in everyday work.

CIRP Annals

"When we ask for support from coalition forces, they kill us instead," he said.

The New York Times

How do we ask for support when we don't know what we should be doing ourselves?

The New York Times

"It's much more politically astute to offer some solutions and ask for support".

The New York Times

He is also likely to ask for support for Mr. Arafat's exile.

The New York Times

I shifted my eyes in every possible direction to ask for support.

The Guardian - Opinion

The victims are forced to ask for support from a kickstarter.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is awesome, that she's asked for support.

University of California, Berkeley

The Yanomami are asking for support," he added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for support" in professional settings, be specific about the type of support needed. This helps the recipient understand how they can best assist you.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for support" without providing context. Clearly state what kind of support you need to prevent confusion and ensure effective assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for support" functions primarily as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it is grammaticaly correct and it signifies a request for assistance or aid. It is commonly used to express the act of seeking help from others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask for support" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to request assistance across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Its usage spans from News & Media to Science and Academia, reflecting its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific details about the support needed to facilitate a clear and effective response. While it can be employed in many situations, be mindful that the best alternatives depends on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request assistance

Replaces "ask" with the more formal "request" and "support" with "assistance", resulting in a more professional tone.

seek help

Uses a different verb, "seek", to convey the act of looking for assistance instead of directly asking.

solicit aid

Employs more formal vocabulary, substituting "ask" with "solicit" and "support" with "aid".

seek backing

Replaces the word "support" with "backing", which usually implies a more formal type of help, often for projects or initiatives.

enlist help

Emphasizes the active engagement of others in providing support, using "enlist" instead of "ask".

appeal for assistance

Conveys a sense of urgency or need, suggesting a formal request for aid in a difficult situation.

call for aid

Similar to appealing, this signifies a public or formal request for help, especially in emergencies.

look for assistance

Describes the process of searching for help rather than directly requesting it from someone specific.

require support

Focuses on the necessity of support rather than the act of asking for it, implying a need that must be met.

lean on others

This implies a reliance on others for emotional or practical support, often during challenging times.

FAQs

How can I use "ask for support" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for support" in sentences like, "Don't hesitate to ask for support if you're feeling overwhelmed" or "It's important to ask for support when facing a difficult challenge".

What are some alternatives to "ask for support"?

Some alternatives include "request assistance", "seek help", or "solicit aid", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to "ask for support" or "seek help"?

Both "ask for support" and "seek help" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Ask for support" implies a direct request, while "seek help" suggests a more general search for assistance.

When is it appropriate to "ask for support"?

It's appropriate to "ask for support" whenever you need assistance to achieve a goal, overcome a challenge, or manage a difficult situation. Being proactive in "seeking help" can prevent problems from escalating.