easy ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easy ask" is not correct and usable in written English.
You would need to change it to either "easy to ask" or "an easy question". For example: "It's an easy question to ask - what's your favorite color?".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It's no easy ask.

The Guardian

Sadly, that's not an easy ask.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Start with something easy: Ask him about "Django Unchained," the Quentin Tarantino movie he is filming.

The New York Times

"Record sleeves is quite a nice brief I think and because art and music sit so close together, it makes it quite an easy ask," said King.

The Guardian - Arts

Tip: if you find it too easy, ask someone to stand behind you with their hand lightly pressing on your back.

The Guardian

Start with something very easy: ask Woodrow Wilson students to anonymously rate themselves liberal to conservative on a 1-7 scalikeike the poli sci national surveys do (and the GSS, I think).

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

If it's so easy, asks Lawford's character, why hasn't somebody done it before?

The New York Times

Getting him to talk about the company's strengths is easy; asking him to admit even the slightest mistake is tougher than pulling teeth.

The Economist

It's easy to move in the other direction but retrenching isn't easy". Asked whether News Corp will find it hard to retrench, she smiles.

The Guardian

"Easy?" asked Joanmarie Tully O'Connor, the listing agent for Mr. Lian's home, in response to a question about pitching properties to potential buyers here.

The New York Times

None of these are easy asks, of course.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "easy ask", consider rephrasing to "easy to ask" or "an easy question" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, use, "It's an easy question to ask".

Common error

Avoid using "easy ask" as a noun phrase to describe a task or request. It's grammatically unconventional and can sound awkward. Instead, use more standard phrases like "simple request" or rephrase to clarify the action of asking, such as "It's easy to ask."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easy ask" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to describe something that is simple or straightforward to request. However, it deviates from standard English grammar and is more commonly found in informal contexts. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is not considered correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "easy ask" is used to describe something simple or straightforward to request. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect and suggests alternatives like "easy to ask" or "an easy question". While "easy ask" appears in various contexts, including news and media and academic publications, it is generally considered informal. For formal writing, opting for grammatically correct alternatives will improve clarity and credibility. Ludwig's analysis suggests that while the intent is clear, the execution can be improved with standard phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy thing to ask

Clarifies that the act of asking is simple and uncomplicated.

not a difficult request

Indicates that the request is not burdensome or challenging.

simple request

Emphasizes the straightforward nature of the request.

comfortable request

Highlights the ease and lack of imposition of the request.

straightforward question

Highlights the directness and lack of complexity in the inquiry.

undemanding question

Suggests that the question requires little effort to answer.

painless task

Focuses on the lack of difficulty or effort required.

effortless undertaking

Stresses the minimal exertion needed to complete the task.

readily achievable goal

Focuses on the ease with which the goal can be attained.

manageable challenge

Indicates that the challenge is within reasonable bounds of difficulty.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct way to phrase "easy ask"?

Instead of "easy ask", use "easy to ask" or "an easy question". For example, "It's "easy to ask" for help" or "That's "an easy question" to answer".

What does "easy ask" mean?

While not grammatically standard, "easy ask" is sometimes used to describe a simple or straightforward request. However, it's better to use clearer alternatives like "simple request" or "straightforward question".

Is "easy ask" formal or informal?

"Easy ask" is considered informal and not always grammatically correct. For more formal contexts, it's advisable to use phrases like "undemanding question" or "not a difficult request".

When should I avoid using "easy ask"?

Avoid using "easy ask" in formal writing, academic papers, or professional communications. In these contexts, opt for grammatically sound alternatives such as "It's "easy to ask"" or "a "straightforward question"".