easy to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easy to ask" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a question or request that is simple or straightforward to make. Example: "I appreciate your openness; it's easy to ask for help when you create a supportive environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's easy to ask: so what?

The Guardian - Opinion

And it's not easy to ask for help, she said.

The New York Times

It is easy to ask why he needs to.

Independent

You'll find it easy to ask them for help when you need them.

Stanford University

History and rudimentary geology were explained, and it was easy to ask questions.

The New York Times - Travel

It's never easy to ask someone to give back a gift.

The Guardian

It was a question easy to ask since I didn't have time before the opening to get a fake.

The New York Times

It is not easy to ask people about their sex lives, and getting honest answers may be even harder.

The New York Times - Health

That's easy to ask in hindsight, but people need jobs, and not everyone has the luxury to follow their principles.

The New Yorker

Take music: it is very easy to ask, why don't more (pick your developing country) people make a career in music or art?

The Economist

But if there is a real problem Mr Berry, who uses a wheelchair, says he finds it easy to ask businesses to make changes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "easy to ask" when you want to emphasize the simplicity or straightforwardness of posing a question or making a request. This can be particularly effective when contrasting it with the difficulty of answering or fulfilling the request.

Common error

Avoid using "easy to ask" when the real challenge lies in the answer or the action required after the question is posed. Focus on framing the complexity of the answer instead of the simplicity of the question itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easy to ask" typically functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often an implied "question" or "request"). It describes the characteristic of being simple or straightforward to pose. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "easy to ask" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that denotes the simplicity of posing a question or making a request. According to Ludwig, its versatility is evident across various contexts, including news media, academia, and science. The phrase serves to highlight the straightforward nature of the inquiry itself, often contrasting it with the potential complexity of the answer or subsequent actions. While widely applicable, it's best reserved for situations where the act of asking is truly simple to avoid misrepresenting underlying complexities. Alternatives such as "simple to request" or "straightforward to inquire" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple to request

Focuses on the act of requesting being uncomplicated.

straightforward to inquire

Highlights the directness of the inquiry.

not difficult to pose

Emphasizes the lack of difficulty in asking a question.

readily queried

Stresses the ease with which something can be asked.

accessible to question

Focuses on the approachability of the question.

presents no challenge to ask

Highlights the absence of difficulty or obstacles in asking.

effortless to inquire

Emphasizes the minimal effort required to make an inquiry.

undemanding to request

Highlights that the request does not require great effort.

a breeze to ask

Uses an idiom to indicate that asking is very simple.

posing no problem to ask

Highlights that the question will not be a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "easy to ask" in a sentence?

You can use "easy to ask" to describe questions or requests that are simple or straightforward. For example, "It's "easy to ask" for help when the instructions are clear."

What can I say instead of "easy to ask"?

Alternatives to "easy to ask" include "simple to request", "straightforward to inquire", or "not difficult to pose", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "easy to ask"?

While "easy to ask" is grammatically correct, it's most effective when the act of asking is genuinely simple. Avoid using it if the underlying issue or answer is complex, as it may downplay the real challenge.

What's the difference between "easy to ask" and "difficult to answer"?

"Easy to ask" refers to the simplicity of posing a question, while "difficult to answer" refers to the complexity of providing a response. A question can be "easy to ask" but still "difficult to answer" if it requires complex information or analysis.