ask him

USAGE SUMMARY

'ask him' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to suggest that someone ask another person a question. For example: "If you want to know what time the movie starts, ask him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Ask him," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I ask him again.

The New Yorker

I can't ask him.

Independent

Ask him, cheap tickets.

The New York Times

"Ask him!" she shouted.

The New Yorker

Why ask him?

The New Yorker

Just ask him.

The New York Times - Sports

Someone should ask him.

The New York Times - Books

You ask him".

The New York Times

I ask him why.

Independent

You should ask him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask him", ensure the context clearly identifies who "him" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "ask him" repeatedly in close proximity without re-establishing who "him" is. This can confuse the reader. Instead, use the person's name or a more descriptive identifier periodically.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ask him" is as an imperative clause. It directly instructs or advises someone to make an inquiry of a specific male individual. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

31%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask him" is a grammatically sound and very common imperative phrase used to direct someone to inquire of a particular male. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, including news, media, and informal settings. While generally neutral in formality, it's best to ensure clear context for whom "him" refers to, and consider more formal alternatives like "inquire of him" in academic or professional writing. Remember to avoid overuse and clearly identify who 'him' is.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put the question to him

Emphasizes the action of presenting a specific question.

check with him

Indicates a casual request for confirmation or clarification.

inquire of him

Replaces "ask" with a more formal synonym, "inquire", creating a slightly more distant tone.

direct your question to him

Highlights the direction of the question towards the individual.

find out from him

Shifts the focus to the result of the inquiry, emphasizing the acquisition of information.

pose the question to him

Offers a more elaborate and formal way to express the act of asking.

get his input

Focuses on obtaining his opinion or perspective, rather than just asking a question.

consult with him

Suggests a more formal discussion or deliberation to gain insights.

seek his advice

Implies asking for guidance or counsel, suggesting a deeper level of inquiry.

have a word with him

Implies a brief conversation to ask something, often in a less direct manner.

FAQs

How can I use "ask him" in a sentence?

You can use "ask him" when you want to tell someone to direct a question to a specific male person. For example, "If you're unsure about the instructions, "ask him" for clarification."

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

If you need a more formal phrasing, consider using "inquire of him" or "pose the question to him". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it ever incorrect to use "ask him"?

The phrase "ask him" is generally correct, but it might be inappropriate in extremely formal writing where more elaborate language is expected. Also, ensure that the context makes it clear who "him" refers to.

What can I say instead of "ask him" when referring to a woman?

When referring to a female, you would use "ask her" instead of "ask him".