can you please ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can you please ask" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a polite request for someone to inquire about something on your behalf. Example: "Can you please ask the manager if we can reschedule the meeting?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Q. Can you please ask him that question?

The Washington Post

"I said, 'Listen, can you please ask if there's any way to get in the basement?

The New York Times

Simply march across the street, with a smile on your face, and say (still smiling): "Can you please ask the carpool driver to call you on her cellphone when she's out front, instead of laying on the horn?

The New York Times

"Can you please ask her?" Ronda said.

Huffington Post

Santa, can you please ask the powers that be to take a day off from the Tebowfication of America and please let us enjoy our holiday in peace?

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Bieber seems to put an arm around him and ask, "Kris, can you please take me off the naughty list?" Ms. Stewart complains that he "didn't give me that pony I asked for last year".

The New York Times

So sad... Evin, I just wonder how can I contact to Joe... Would you please ask for Joe if he agree to tell me his E-MAIL adress and phone number.

Vice

17th over England 141-3 (Wright 75, Buttler 0) "TMS keeps mentioning the dancing girls - as they usually do - but can we have a description from you please?" asks John Starbuck who fancies me for involuntary redundancy I reckon.

The Guardian - Sport

"Excuse me, can you please walk to the other side?" asks one of the officers.

Huffington Post

How do you wind down after playing something like that? [Laughing] Can you please not ask me that?

The New York Times - Arts

"Aren't You Ashamed to Be a Muslim?" "I don't want to offend you but can I please ask you a question?

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow up with a specific indication of what you need the person to ask about. For example, "Can you please ask the librarian where I can find books on astrophysics?"

Common error

Avoid using "can you please ask" in extremely formal or professional communication, where a more sophisticated phrasing like "could you kindly inquire" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can you please ask" functions as a polite imperative. It is used to request someone to perform an action, specifically to make an inquiry. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and usable. The examples provided by Ludwig further illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can you please ask" is a grammatically sound and polite way to request someone to make an inquiry on your behalf. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with some presence in more formal settings. While generally appropriate, consider more formal alternatives like "could you kindly inquire" in highly professional environments. Remember to provide a specific target or subject for the inquiry when using this phrase. Be cautious not to overuse it in contexts that require more sophisticated language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you kindly inquire

Replaces "can you" with "could you", adding "kindly" for enhanced politeness, and substitutes "ask" with the more formal "inquire".

would it be possible to ask

Adds a layer of indirectness and politeness by phrasing the request as a question of possibility.

would you be willing to ask

Emphasizes the willingness of the person to perform the request, adding a layer of politeness.

could you possibly find out

Uses "possibly" to soften the request and "find out" to replace "ask", making it less direct.

would you mind finding out

Shifts the request to focus on the action of "finding out", implying a willingness to help.

are you able to inquire

Focuses on the ability of the person to inquire, which indirectly asks them to do so.

can you check with someone

Replaces "ask" with "check with someone", suggesting a broader inquiry rather than a direct question.

could you get some information

Replaces "ask" with "get some information", focusing on the outcome of the request.

can you make an inquiry

Replaces "ask" with the more formal "make an inquiry", suitable for professional contexts.

please investigate this for me

Shifts the focus to a more thorough investigation rather than a simple question.

FAQs

How can I use "can you please ask" in a sentence?

Use "can you please ask" to politely request someone to make an inquiry on your behalf. For example, "Can you please ask the receptionist if Mr. Smith is available?"

What's a more formal alternative to "can you please ask"?

For more formal situations, consider alternatives such as "could you kindly inquire" or "would you mind asking".

Is "can you please ask" appropriate for business emails?

While acceptable, it may be better to use a slightly more formal tone in business emails. Consider "Could you please inquire" or "Would you be able to ask" for a more professional touch.

What is the difference between "can you please ask" and "please ask"?

"Can you please ask" is a polite request, while "please ask" is a more direct command. The former is generally preferred in most situations due to its courteous tone.