ask of you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask of you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a request or seeking something from someone. Example: "I have a favor to ask of you regarding the upcoming event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I ask of you greetings and money.

Independent

"It's really all we ask of you.

Independent

I have nothing new to ask of you,.

The New Yorker

It's the one favor I ask of you".

The New Yorker

That is all I can ask of you".

The Guardian - Sport

"There's a small favor we'd like to ask of you," I said.

The New Yorker

That's all I ask of you! (All phans are pathologically needy; it's a character defect).

The Guardian

"It's a question we ask of you as a collective, but we mean it individually".

The Guardian - Music

But my ask of you today is that I need you to keep pushing.

The New Yorker

In the meantime, there's something we'd like to ask of you, dear readers.

The New Yorker

As long as you've given your pet the best life you could, that's all they ask of you.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ask of you" to clearly indicate that a request or favor is being directed specifically at the person being addressed.

Common error

Avoid using "ask of you" in overly casual situations where a simpler "ask you for" would suffice. Overusing formal phrasing can sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask of you" functions as a verb phrase used to introduce a request or question directed at someone. It indicates that the speaker is about to make a demand or seek information from the listener. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask of you" is a versatile construction used to introduce a request or question directed at a specific person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. While "ask of you" can be used in various contexts, ranging from news reports to personal communications, it is important to consider the level of formality. In certain casual settings, using simpler phrasing like "ask you for" might be more appropriate. Considering alternatives such as "request from you", "enquire of you", or "seek from you" can also help refine the tone and impact of your message. Overall, "ask of you" remains a useful and common way to engage someone in a request or dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request from you

This alternative directly replaces "ask" with "request", maintaining a formal tone.

would like from you

This phrase is more polite and less direct.

seek from you

Suggests a formal or earnest request.

appeal to you

Indicates an earnest or urgent request.

enquire of you

This is a more formal and less common way to ask something.

solicit from you

Implies asking for something, often support or assistance.

require of you

Implies a stronger need or obligation than a simple request.

need from you

Focuses on the necessity of what is being requested.

expect from you

Highlights an anticipation or requirement.

desire from you

Emphasizes the speaker's wish or want.

FAQs

What does "ask of you" mean?

The phrase "ask of you" means to request something from someone. It's a way of phrasing a question or making a request directly to the person you are addressing.

Is it better to say "ask of you" or "ask you for"?

Both phrases are correct, but "ask of you" is often perceived as slightly more formal or emphatic than "ask you for". The best choice depends on the context and your desired tone. For example, “I have a question to "ask you for"” is more common than “I have a question to ask of you”.

What can I say instead of "ask of you"?

You can use alternatives like "request from you", "need from you", or "desire from you" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How to use "ask of you" in a sentence?

You can use "ask of you" to introduce a request or a question. For example, "I have a favor to "ask of you"" or "There's something I need to "ask of you"". The phrase usually precedes the specific request or question.