ask to challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask to challenge" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a request to contest or dispute something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I would like to ask to challenge the decision made by the committee."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ask to challenge them.

WikiHow

Go up to the kid wearing the Majora's Mask and ask to challenge him to a boss battle.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Being an Ikea worker," she continued with animation, "I can tell you we're a culture that's asked to challenge conformity, to speak outside the box".

The New York Times

Chambers will be asked to challenge the current record of 10.08sec achieved by the American Leroy Burrell in Hengelo in 1994.

The Guardian - Sport

In an unforgiving industry where innovation occurs at a blistering pace, Ramji was being asked to challenge, if not dispatch, six decades of conventional business practices.

Forbes

To be sure, there was one debate my father did have when asked to challenge Michael Brown, the tragic Jews for J proponent.

Huffington Post

Future research might investigate which kinds of questions can be asked to challenge students towards reflection levels slightly above the level on which they perform and examine the effectiveness of challenging students towards higher reflection levels.

BMC Medical Education

You will be asked to challenge your own negative thought patterns and work on coping strategies on a day-to-day basis.

WikiHow

If, on the other hand, we ask to be challenged, disturbed, or provoked at the same time that we are entertained, Carson must inevitably disappoint us.

The New Yorker

To propose is to ask to be challenged; already, I suspect my own suggestions are too male, too middle class, too Eurocentric.

The Guardian - Books

These are questions we ask every single day, and I will continue to ask questions to challenge the status quo.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "ask to challenge" with more direct phrasing like "request to dispute" or "seek permission to challenge" to ensure your intent is clearly understood.

Common error

Avoid using "ask to challenge" when you intend to convey a formal request or dispute. This phrasing can be misinterpreted as a general inquiry rather than a direct expression of intent to challenge. Rely on clearer alternatives such as "formally challenge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask to challenge" functions as an infinitive phrase where "ask" is the verb and "to challenge" is the infinitive expressing the intended action. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English. The examples show usage in varied contexts, albeit infrequently.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "ask to challenge" may be understood in informal settings, it is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI and lacks the precision needed for formal communication. With only a handful of examples across news, wiki and scientific sources, its usage is rare. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives such as "request to dispute", "seek permission to challenge", or "formally challenge", depending on the context. By opting for these alternatives, you ensure your intent to challenge is conveyed effectively and professionally. Remember to tailor your language to the specific context, choosing more formal options for professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request to dispute

Replaces "ask" with a more formal verb, emphasizing the act of formally disagreeing with something.

seek permission to challenge

Adds a layer of formality by explicitly mentioning the seeking of permission.

ask for leave to challenge

Similar to seeking permission but uses the term "leave", common in legal contexts.

request an opportunity to challenge

Highlights the desire for a chance to contest something, focusing on the opportunity.

put forward a challenge

Focuses on the action of presenting the challenge itself, rather than the request.

invite to challenge

Shifts the focus to extending an invitation for someone else to initiate a challenge.

challenge someone to

A more direct way of expressing a challenge, omitting the request aspect.

propose a challenge

Emphasizes the suggestion of a challenge, framing it as a proposal.

seek to challenge

Indicates an intention or effort to challenge, removing the explicit act of asking.

desire to challenge

Expresses a wanting to challenge something or someone. More formal version.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ask to challenge" for clarity?

To enhance clarity, consider using alternatives like "request to dispute", "seek permission to challenge", or "formally challenge", which are more direct and easily understood.

What's wrong with saying "ask to challenge"?

While understandable, "ask to challenge" is not grammatically standard and can sound awkward. More precise and formal alternatives include "request to dispute" or "seek leave to challenge".

When is it appropriate to use "ask to challenge"?

It is best to avoid "ask to challenge" in formal writing. In informal contexts, it might be understood, but more direct phrases like "challenge someone to" or "propose a challenge" are preferable.

Is there a legal or formal way to say "ask to challenge"?

In legal or formal settings, "seek leave to challenge" is appropriate when requesting permission from a court or authority. Alternatively, "request to dispute" works in many formal contexts.