asking to marry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asking to marry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of proposing marriage or expressing a desire to marry someone. Example: "He was nervous about asking to marry her, but he knew it was the right time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Now, TiVo is not exactly exotic technology – I wasn't asking to marry my computer to my TV set like Home to the Future wants me to do – but it's apparently exotic to Time Warner personnel.

Forbes

Here's how: Ask yourself if you absolutely can't live without the girl you're asking to marry you.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then a foreign Shabab came to Hawa's home and asked to marry her.

The New York Times

After a while, he knocked on the door and asked to marry her, but I refused.

Independent

She was pregnant and the count did not ask to marry her.

The New Yorker

The man behind the attack is thought to be a local warlord who asked to marry the girl.

Independent

"What am I gonna do with you, Noah?" her father had said the day Noah asked to marry Maggie.

The New Yorker

They liked your pitch and bought; the lady you asked to marry you, married you.

Forbes

She couldn't ______ a scream of delight when he suddenly asked to marry her.

BBC

That October Pound formally asked to marry Dorothy; her father refused on the basis of Pound's meagre income.

Wikipedia

Do not reject the NPC you asked to marry you at the altar.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "asking to marry", ensure that the context is clear and that the person being asked understands the intention. It's often used in narratives or informal conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "asking to marry" in highly formal or official documents. Opt for more direct alternatives like "proposing marriage" or "making a marriage proposal" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asking to marry" functions as an infinitive phrase that describes the act of proposing marriage. Ludwig examples show it used both in direct speech and narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "asking to marry" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to express the act of proposing marriage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for general use, though it leans towards informality. While alternatives like "proposing marriage" are more formal, "asking to marry" is perfectly acceptable in narratives, casual conversations, and personal writing. Consider the context and audience when choosing between "asking to marry" and its more formal counterparts. The sources show usage in news, media, and wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proposing marriage

This is a more formal and direct way of expressing the act of asking someone to marry you.

making a marriage proposal

This phrase is a more formal and descriptive way of saying "asking to marry".

popping the question

This is an idiomatic and informal way to describe asking someone to marry you.

asking for their hand

This idiom refers specifically to asking a person to marry you.

seeking someone's hand in marriage

This is a formal and somewhat archaic way of asking for permission to marry someone, especially from their family.

requesting to be wed

This is a more formal and somewhat indirect way of expressing the desire to marry someone.

intending to propose

Focuses on the intention rather than the action itself.

expressing a desire for marriage

This phrase is a more general and less direct way of expressing the intention to marry someone.

planning to ask for marriage

Highlights the planning stage before the actual proposal.

broaching the subject of marriage

This is a more cautious and indirect way of initiating a conversation about marriage.

FAQs

What does "asking to marry" mean?

The phrase "asking to marry" means to propose marriage to someone. It's the act of requesting someone to become your spouse.

How can I use "asking to marry" in a sentence?

You can use "asking to marry" like this: "He was nervous about "proposing marriage", but he knew it was the right time to ask to marry her."

What are some alternatives to "asking to marry"?

Alternatives include "proposing marriage", "popping the question", or "seeking someone's hand in marriage".

Is "asking to marry" formal or informal?

"Asking to marry" is generally considered informal. More formal alternatives include "making a marriage proposal" or "requesting to be wed".