ask his name

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask his name" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to inquire about someone's name in a conversation or narrative. Example: "During the meeting, I realized I didn't know everyone, so I decided to ask his name."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I had to ask his name.

The New Yorker

It did not occur to her to ask his name.

The New York Times

I ask his name, and he responds: "My name?

The New York Times - Magazine

A young girl interrupts to ask his name.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Next time, I will ask his name, and not just shoot smiles at him.

The New York Times

I sat next to an amusing American author from Stanford University, but stupidly didn't ask his name.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

They asked his name.

The New York Times

Tambor asked his name.

The New Yorker

I asked his name.

The Guardian

Everitt approached and asked his name.

The New Yorker

program when asked his name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "ask his name" to show a character's curiosity or need to identify someone.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who "his" refers to when using the phrase "ask his name". Otherwise, specify the person's name to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask his name" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a clause to describe the action of requesting someone's name. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask his name" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to inquire about someone's identity. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that while correct, it's relatively uncommon, predominantly appearing in journalistic contexts. For more formal scenarios, consider using phrases like "inquire about his name". When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the referent of "his" to avoid ambiguity. Remember this is a direct way to gather basic personal information and is mainly neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's his name

A direct question seeking his name.

inquire about his name

More formal and indirect way of asking about someone's name.

request his name

Similar to "inquire", but may imply a more official context.

may I have his name

Polite and formal request for his name.

find out his name

Focuses on the action of discovering the name, rather than directly asking.

learn his name

Similar to "find out", suggesting gaining knowledge of the name.

can I get his name

Informal but polite request for his name.

get his name

Informal way of saying you want to know his name.

determine his name

Focuses on the act of figuring out his name through investigation.

ascertain his name

Very formal and less common way to say find out his name.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ask his name" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "inquire about his name" or "request his name".

What is a less direct way to say "ask his name"?

Alternatives like "find out his name" or "learn his name" imply discovering the name without necessarily asking directly.

Is "ask his name" appropriate for professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "ask his name" is relatively neutral. In professional contexts, consider more formal alternatives such as "inquire about his name" for added professionalism.

Which is more common, "ask his name" or "asked his name"?

"Asked his name" is more frequently used in narratives describing a past event, whereas "ask his name" is used when describing an action in the present or future.