ask over

USAGE SUMMARY

'ask over' is not a correct phrase in written English.
A more suitable phrase is 'ask around'. For example, "I asked around but nobody knew the answer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

As I travel the country meeting with the industry's most forward-thinking real estate agents, there's one question I hear them ask over and over again: How can I maximize my marketing strategies?

Forbes

If you were to ask "over 200 social media leaders" which social media site they would pay for if they had to, as Abrams Research recently did, Facebook would come out on top, with 32.2percentt saying they would pay for it.

TechCrunch

"But... Is it safe?" People would ask, over and over, upon learning of my three-month stay in Sarajevo.

Huffington Post

"Good things come to those who wait" unless you're three, then good things only come if you ask over and over again until everyone's crying.

HuffPost

She doesn't know what to tell all the other moms just like her who ask, over and over again, how they can do the same thing.

HuffPost

Solomon says there is a million-dollar question that all happy couples are willing to ask, over and over: "What's it like to be in a relationship with me right now?" More from #OWNSHOW: The toughest talk you can have with your partner.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The Labour peer and former government voice of older people backed a BBC plan to ask over-75s to opt in to paying for their free licence fees, after the corporation agreed to shoulder the £725m annual burden of the policy.

Independent

In a new paper just published in the British Journal of General Practice, Rao and two co-authors advise GPs to ask over-65s about their alcohol use much more regularly, give them advice about how to cut down through what are called "brief interventions" and refer those who need help to hospital services.

The Guardian

With the BBC set to ask over-75s to voluntarily pay the licence fee when it takes over the estimated £700m cost of free TV licences for older people, 80% of respondents said they would "consider paying for a television licence" even if they were entitled to a free one.

The Guardian

"Is this really happening?" Curt Anes asked over and over again.

The New York Times - Sports

These are questions that Morisseau asks over and over again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When seeking information, use grammatically accepted phrases like "ask about" or "inquire about" for clear communication.

Common error

Be mindful that the phrase "ask over" may not convey your intended meaning clearly. Opt for established alternatives like "ask about" or "inquire about" to ensure your message is accurately understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask over" functions as a phrasal verb, though its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig AI notes that "ask over" is not a correct phrase in written English, suggesting it is not a standard or widely accepted usage. This means that its use might lead to miscommunication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask over" appears in various contexts, yet Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in written English. While examples from news, scientific, and general web sources show its usage, its non-standard nature makes it unsuitable for formal communication. Alternatives like "ask about" or "inquire about" are recommended for clarity and correctness. Therefore, while the phrase is relatively common, it's best to avoid it in formal writing to prevent misinterpretation and ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask about

General way to ask something.

inquire about

Focuses on seeking information about a particular subject.

request information on

Specifically denotes asking for details or data related to something.

seek clarification on

Emphasizes the need for clearer understanding of a specific point.

check on

Implies verifying the status or condition of something through asking.

consult regarding

Implies seeking advice or opinions from an expert about a matter.

query about

A formal way to ask questions about something.

get details on

Refers to obtaining specific information through questioning or investigation.

pose a question concerning

Highlights the act of presenting a question related to a specific topic.

enquire into

Suggests a more thorough and formal investigation through questioning.

FAQs

What does "ask over" mean?

"Ask over" is not a standard English phrase. Depending on the intended meaning, it might be better to use phrases such as "ask about", "ask again", or other more appropriate alternatives.

Is it correct to use "ask over" in formal writing?

No, it is generally not correct to use "ask over" in formal writing, as it is not a recognized standard English phrase. Use more formal and precise alternatives like "enquire about" or "request information".

What are some alternatives to "ask over" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use "ask again" if you mean to repeat a question, or "ask about" if you are inquiring about something. The best alternative depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

How can I properly use the phrase "ask about" instead of "ask over"?

Use "ask about" followed by the subject you're inquiring about. For example, instead of saying "I'll ask over the details", you would say "I'll ask about the details".