ask for the envelope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for the envelope" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting someone to inquire about the envelope, typically in a context where it is expected to be retrieved or delivered. Example: "If you need the documents, please ask for the envelope at the front desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

No need even to ask for the envelope, please.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Called up to present the screenwriting award, Thompson swaggered on stage with her shoes in her right hand and a Martini in her left, slurring her words as she asked for the envelope.

The Guardian - Film

Almost as soon as he makes the pickup of the envelope to be delivered, however, he's accosted by a demanding cop named Monday (Michael Shannon), who asks for the envelope back.

Huffington Post

"Twyla and Manny knew they were going to ask for pushing the envelope, from the beginning, and that the creative process was going to be hard," Ms. Plantadit-Bageot said, referring to Emanuel Azenberg, one of the show's producers.

The New York Times

"If you go the local library and ask for the local history," he said, "they give one sheet of yellowing paper in a frayed manila envelope".

The New York Times

Proteins predicted as secreted were then asked for the presence of cell-envelope retention domain and erased from the output in positive case.

BMC Genomics

The return address on this envelope should be that of the individual asking for the money.

WikiHow

Mr Hamilton was as persistent as Mr Greer, if not more so, in asking for his envelope.

The Guardian

I clearly asked for a padded envelope and an important job depends on this".

The New York Times

I asked about pushing the envelope, facing judgement and what keeps her moving forward.

Huffington Post

You're a bit out of pocket since the envelope stuffing fell through, so you ask for credit.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for the envelope" in formal writing, consider whether a more precise verb like "request" or "inquire" might be more appropriate for the context.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for the envelope" in situations where a different action is more fitting. For example, if you're looking for information contained within the envelope, rather than the envelope itself, rephrase your request to reflect that you're after the contents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for the envelope" primarily functions as a request. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's used to request someone to inquire about or provide a specific envelope.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask for the envelope" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to direct someone to request or obtain a specific envelope. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science, but rarely in encyclopedias or social media. When using this phrase, consider the specific context to ensure the most appropriate verb is used. For more formal settings, "request" or "inquire" might be better choices. Avoid using it if the intent is not about the envelope itself, but about the information it contains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request the envelope

Replaces "ask" with the more formal "request", maintaining the same directness.

inquire about the envelope

Uses "inquire" to suggest a more formal or investigative approach.

seek the envelope

Employs "seek" to imply a more active search or pursuit of the envelope.

demand the envelope

Replaces "ask" with "demand", indicating a forceful request.

fetch the envelope

Implies that someone should go and retrieve the envelope.

collect the envelope

Suggests gathering or picking up the envelope from a designated place.

obtain the envelope

Indicates acquiring the envelope through some effort or process.

can I have the envelope

A more polite and conversational way of asking for the envelope.

where is the envelope

Shifts the focus to locating the envelope rather than directly asking for it.

may I see the envelope

Indicates a polite request to view or examine the envelope.

FAQs

How can I use "ask for the envelope" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for the envelope" when you want someone to request that a specific envelope be provided. For example, "If you need the documents, just "ask for the envelope" at the reception desk."

What are some alternatives to "ask for the envelope"?

Some alternatives include "request the envelope", "inquire about the envelope", or "seek the envelope", depending on the formality and context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "ask for the envelope"?

Yes, "ask for the envelope" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard verb + preposition + article + noun structure. The phrase is usable in written English.

When should I use "ask for the envelope" instead of "ask about the envelope"?

"Ask for the envelope" is used when you want someone to physically provide the envelope. "Ask about the envelope" is used when you want information or details regarding the envelope's contents or whereabouts. The phrase is usable in written English.