ask him about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask him about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone inquire about a specific topic or subject related to a person. Example: "If you're curious about his experience, you should ask him about his time working in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What should we ask him about?

BBC

Don't ask him about meat.

The New York Times

Ask him about Bhutan.

MIT Technology Review

We ask him about this.

Columbia University

"Ask him about that".

The New York Times - Sports

Ask him about the circus and motorcycles".

The New Yorker

People ask him about these Phillies.

The New York Times - Sports

Then I ask him about the worst.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I ask him about the drought.

The New York Times

Lawmakers did not ask him about it.

The New York Times

They ask him about his family.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask him about", ensure the context makes it clear who "him" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly naming the person or providing sufficient context.

Common error

While versatile, "ask him about" can sound informal in professional contexts. Opt for alternatives like "inquire with him regarding" or "consult him on" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask him about" functions as a directive, specifically an imperative clause, urging someone to seek information from another person regarding a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is both correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask him about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to suggest seeking information from someone on a particular subject. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's versatile and appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its neutral register makes it generally appropriate, remember to consider more formal alternatives, such as "inquire with him regarding", in professional settings. When using "ask him about", be specific about who "him" refers to and the topic of inquiry to ensure clarity. Keep in mind that while this phrase requests information, "ask him for" requests something tangible or a specific action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

question him regarding

Uses "question" instead of "ask" and "regarding" instead of "about", implying a more direct or investigative approach.

inquire with him concerning

Replaces "ask" with the more formal "inquire" and "about" with "concerning", resulting in a more formal tone.

consult him on

Implies a more formal and professional request for his expertise.

pick his brain about

Informal and suggests extracting knowledge or ideas from him.

get his input on

Focuses on obtaining his opinion or perspective, rather than general information.

find out his thoughts on

Focuses on discovering his opinions or feelings.

solicit his views on

More formal and emphasizes actively seeking his opinions.

seek his advice on

Specifically asks for his guidance or recommendations.

have a word with him concerning

More roundabout, suggesting a brief conversation to gain information.

touch base with him regarding

Business jargon for a brief conversation about a specific topic.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ask him about" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "inquire with him regarding", "consult him on", or "question him concerning".

What are some informal alternatives to "ask him about"?

Informal alternatives include "pick his brain about" or "get his input on", which suggest a casual conversation.

Is it always necessary to specify the topic when using "ask him about"?

While not grammatically required, specifying the topic after "ask him about" provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. For instance, "ask him about his experience" is clearer than simply "ask him".

What's the difference between "ask him about" and "ask him for"?

"Ask him about" is used to request information, while "ask him for" is used to request something tangible or a specific action. For example, "ask him about the project" seeks information, while "ask him for help" seeks assistance.