ask to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone for permission; for example, "Would you mind if I asked to borrow your car?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We may ask, to whose?

The New York Times

He didn't ask to stop.

The New York Times - Sports

Ask to sit downstairs.

The New York Times - Food

Ask to see licenses.

The New York Times

Call and ask to be sure.

The New York Times

You did not ask to be born.

The New Yorker

Will you ask to play more minutes?

The New York Times

Ask to see critical core facilities.

Science Magazine

Ask to be forgiven.

Huffington Post

Ask to move.

Huffington Post

Ask to go first!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure the context clarifies who is being asked and what they are being asked for.

Common error

Avoid using "ask to" when you mean to directly instruct someone. For instance, instead of "I ask to leave now", say "I need to leave now" or "Please allow me to leave".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask to" primarily functions as a verb phrase introducing a request or inquiry. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used in written English to seek permission or make a polite request. Examples include "Ask to see licenses" and "Will you ask to play more minutes?".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

58%

News & Media

35%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used primarily to request permission or initiate an inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. While generally neutral in tone, its formality can be adjusted with alternatives like "request permission to" for formal contexts or "can I" for informal settings. It is a common phrase with varied usages across different domains, especially in Wiki and News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may I

This alternative is a concise and polite way to request something.

could I

This alternative is another polite way to request something, implying possibility.

can I

This alternative is a more informal and direct way to request something.

request permission to

This alternative is more formal and explicitly mentions seeking permission.

get permission to

This alternative focuses on the act of obtaining permission.

would like to

This alternative expresses a desire or preference more politely.

is it okay if I

This alternative explicitly seeks confirmation of permissibility.

seek authorization to

This alternative suggests a formal process of obtaining approval.

put in a request to

This alternative emphasizes a formal submission of a request.

inquire about

This alternative focuses on seeking information about something.

FAQs

How to use "ask to" in a sentence?

You can use "ask to" to request permission or make a polite inquiry, such as, "May I ask to see the manager?" or "Did you ask to be excused from class?"

What can I say instead of "ask to"?

You can use alternatives like "request permission to", "would like to", or "may I" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ask to" or "ask if"?

"Ask to" is used when requesting permission or something tangible, while "ask if" is used when inquiring about a condition or fact. For example, "ask to leave" vs. "ask if they are coming".

Is "ask to" formal or informal?

"Ask to" is generally considered neutral. For more formal situations, use "request permission to". For more informal contexts, "can I" may be suitable.