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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
explicitly ask for
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"explicitly ask for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express a clear request for something. For example: "Please explicitly ask for the extra sauce when you order your burrito."
✓ Grammatically correct
Academia
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(20)
specifically request
outright ask for
formally request
directly solicit
clearly demand
expressly seek
definitely ask for
apparently ask for
deliberately ask for
specifically ask for
exactly ask for
publicly ask for
directly ask for
formally ask for
explicitly asked for
specific ask for
made ask for
certainly ask for
explicitly asks for
literally ask for
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
26 human-written examples
You can also explicitly ask for his support as you try to eat healthier.
Academia
That's why so many employers now explicitly ask for writing and communications skills in their job advertisements.
News & Media
This is not the Hatch Act's only legal distinction with little grounding in reality: the regulations also allow government employees to speak at partisan fund-raising events, provided they do not explicitly ask for money.
News & Media
There are a variety of questions that will tap into underlying values, such as "What is that about for you?" or "What is the risk of that approach?" or "What am I missing?" Notice that these questions don't explicitly ask for emotional answers but instead leave room for the person to express how they're feeling or what they're worried about.
News & Media
This actually resonates with the Horst and Miller article, where the idea of "link-up" in Jamaica essentially constitutes a bare-bones form of sociality that allows for a quick call to be made to explicitly ask for help/support/resources without any judgment, something that would be social suicide in the United States.
Finally, we use our findings to make several recommendations: Policies should include the terms "data," "dataset" or more specific terms that make it clear what to make available; policies should include the benefits of data sharing; journals, publishers, and associations need to collaborate more to clarify data policies; and policies should explicitly ask for qualitative data.
Academia
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
34 human-written examples
"One difference from letters to Santa is that many are not even explicitly asking for something.
News & Media
Donegan, on the other hand, explicitly asked for confidentiality, and had her confidence violated repeatedly.
News & Media
Take the bid specs that Georgia recently issued for broadcloth, explicitly asking for "domestic goods," Ms. Corey noted.
News & Media
In her meeting with Mr. Dai, the foreign policy official, on Friday, Mrs. Clinton never explicitly asked for anything.
News & Media
It is unacceptable to ignore (i.e. not respond to) an email that implicitly or explicitly asks for a response.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When you need to be absolutely certain that your request is understood, use "explicitly ask for". It leaves no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation.
Common error
Don't assume implicit requests will be understood. Instead of hinting, use "explicitly ask for" to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "explicitly ask for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a clear and direct action of requesting something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to highlight the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the request. Examples show it used across different contexts, from academic to formal and business settings.
Frequent in
News & Media
34%
Science
31%
Academia
23%
Less common in
Formal & Business
8%
Wiki
3%
Encyclopedias
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "explicitly ask for" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate a clear and direct request. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across different contexts. Its primary function is to avoid ambiguity and ensure the request is well understood. While suitable for various registers, it is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. Using this phrase ensures clarity and precision in your communication, preventing potential misunderstandings.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
outright ask for
Indicates a direct and unambiguous request, adding emphasis on the clarity of the asking.
specifically request
Focuses on the detailed nature of the request, highlighting that particular items or actions are being asked for.
directly solicit
Emphasizes the act of seeking something, often implying a formal or business context.
formally request
Implies the request is made through official channels or in a structured manner.
clearly demand
Conveys a sense of authority or insistence in the request.
expressly seek
Highlights the clarity and intention behind looking for something.
definitely ask for
Emphasizes the certainty and lack of ambiguity in the request.
deliberately seek
Focuses on the intentional and planned nature of the request.
openly appeal for
Suggests the request is public and widely communicated.
publicly solicit
Emphasizes that the request is made to a broad audience.
FAQs
What does "explicitly ask for" mean?
The phrase "explicitly ask for" means to make a direct and unambiguous request for something, leaving no room for misinterpretation. It emphasizes clarity in communication.
How to use "explicitly ask for" in a sentence?
You can use "explicitly ask for" when you want to emphasize the directness of your request. For example, "Please "explicitly ask for" the specific features you need in the software."
What can I say instead of "explicitly ask for"?
You can use alternatives like "specifically request", "outright ask for", or "formally request" depending on the context.
Is it better to "explicitly ask for" something or imply it?
In situations where clarity is important, it is better to "explicitly ask for" something. Implied requests can be misinterpreted or overlooked, especially in professional settings.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested