better we ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better we ask" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It could be used in informal contexts where you suggest that it is preferable to ask for clarification or information. Example: "If we're unsure about the details, it's better we ask for help rather than make assumptions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When you're looking at some of these other things, where sometimes you have devs come to us and say, 'Hey, we need help finishing our game,' or 'we want to make this game bigger and better,' we ask if those guys launched on Oculus first if we're going to help them fund that.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Determined that we can do better, we asked for suggestions from, yes, people on Twitter, i.e. the possibly-soon-to-be-renamed Twitterverse.

The New York Times

"We started much better, we asked for a big start and we thought it was terrific".

BBC

"How do you know when things will get better?" we asked her.

Huffington Post

After telling the participants again that there is uncertainty of the relative risks and benefits between the experimental agent and the approved drug and that the aim of the clinical trial was to determine which drug is better, we asked them if it mattered which intervention they received.

BMC Medical Ethics

Inspired by the ambition and optimism of the Apollo missions and our previously widespread belief in the idea that life is getting better, we are asking writers to explore radical extensions of technologies and ideas that exist in the lab today or can be glimpsed just over the horizon.

Huffington Post

As we await a better 2009 we ask: Are we doomed forever to be the fleeced or is there anything we can learn form this latest round of financial catastrophe?

The New York Times

Criticism often comes unsolicited and free of charge and can knock us off our game, while we seem to accept "feedback" a little better because we ask people to tell us what we think.

Huffington Post

In any relationship, it will be much better, if we ask others what they want.

WikiHow

If you are feeling better, please can we ask you to leave".

The Guardian - Opinion

For some reason many of us feel a bit exposed (for lack of better word) when we ask for help, but the rewards far outweigh the initial discomfort.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When suggesting inquiry, prioritize standard English word order for clarity. Instead of awkward phrasing like "better we ask", opt for constructions like "it's best to ask".

Common error

Resist the urge to use inverted word order in everyday suggestions. While it might sound distinctive, it often deviates from standard English grammar and can cause confusion. Stick to straightforward sentence structures for clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better we ask" functions as a suggestion or recommendation, although its non-standard word order makes it grammatically questionable. Ludwig indicates that it may sound awkward to some speakers.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "better we ask" conveys a suggestion to inquire, it is considered grammatically incorrect and may sound awkward in formal settings. Ludwig suggests alternative phrases like "it's best to ask" or "we should ask" for improved clarity and adherence to standard English. Although examples exist across various sources including news, science and wiki, its usage is infrequent. Therefore, it is generally advisable to use more conventional phrasing for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's best to ask

Replaces the inverted word order with a more standard English construction, prioritizing clarity and directness.

we should ask

Uses a modal verb to indicate obligation or recommendation, making the suggestion more explicit and straightforward.

it would be better to ask

Adds a conditional element, implying a hypothetical situation where asking is the preferred action.

we'd do better to ask

Uses a contraction to shorten "we would", maintaining a similar meaning but in a slightly more casual tone.

it is preferable to ask

Emphasizes the desirability of asking, highlighting its advantage over other actions.

asking would be better

Shifts the focus to the act of asking itself, presenting it as the superior option.

we ought to ask

Uses "ought to" to convey a sense of duty or moral obligation to inquire.

we're better off asking

Expresses the idea that asking will lead to a more favorable outcome.

it's wiser to ask

Highlights the prudence and intelligence of seeking information through questioning.

we might want to ask

Introduces a softer, more tentative suggestion to inquire, allowing for greater flexibility.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "better we ask" to sound more natural?

To improve the flow and correctness, use phrases like "it's best to ask", "we should ask", or "it would be better to ask". These alternatives align with standard English grammar.

What is the best way to suggest asking a question in a formal setting?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it is preferable to ask" or "we ought to ask". These options maintain politeness and clarity while adhering to formal grammar rules.

Is "better we ask" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "better we ask" does not follow standard English grammar conventions. It's more appropriate to use constructions such as "it's best to ask" or "we should ask".

What alternatives to "better we ask" emphasize the wisdom of asking?

To highlight the prudence of asking, consider phrases like "it's wiser to ask" or "we're better off asking". These options underscore the benefits of seeking information through inquiry.