have a favor to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a favor to ask" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you might write "I hope you don't mind, but I have a favor to ask".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"But I have a favor to ask".

The New Yorker

Yes, in that someone else now has a sense of you as someone who is helpful and that you are not just in it for yourself — and if you ever do have a favor to ask of that person, that someone may be more inclined to help.

The New York Times

So I have a favor to ask you.

HuffPost

You see, I have a favor to ask.

Huffington Post

Sometimes, a villager won't have a favor to ask you when you first talk to them, but they might a few minutes later.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They also had a favor to ask.

The New York Times - Magazine

Urbina had a favor to ask.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Gephardt had a favor to ask.

The New York Times

In turn, he had a favor to ask.

The New York Times - Arts

One afternoon last spring, I accompanied Adelstein to a Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood of Roppongi, to meet with a gangster who had a favor to ask.

The New Yorker

Trump knew that the F.B.I. was investigating Flynn for lying about these calls, among other possible crimes, and he had a favor to ask of Comey.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and your relationship with the person before using the phrase "have a favor to ask". Ensure it is appropriate for the level of formality.

Common error

Avoid abruptly stating "I have a favor to ask" without any introduction or explanation. This can come across as demanding or insensitive. Instead, provide a brief context or reason for your request to soften the approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a favor to ask" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a request for assistance or a specific action from someone. It's a common way to preface a request, as supported by the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have a favor to ask" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to introduce a request. As Ludwig AI points out, it is best used with some context or introduction to avoid abruptness. While it appears frequently in news and media sources, alternative phrases such as "would you mind doing me a favor?" or "may I ask a favor of you?" may be more suitable for formal settings. Remember to express gratitude after the favor has been granted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

want to ask a favor

Changes the verb from "have" to "want", slightly altering the emphasis to desire rather than possession of the favor.

need to ask a favor

Replaces "have" with "need", indicating a necessity to ask for something.

would like to ask a favor

Adds politeness and formality by using "would like", softening the directness of the request.

is it okay to ask a favor

Frames the request as a question seeking permission before asking the favor.

I was hoping to ask a favor

Introduces the request with a sense of hope or anticipation.

can I ask you for a favor

Focuses on asking the person directly for assistance.

may I ask a favor of you

A more formal and polite way of asking for a favor.

I have a request to make

Substitutes "favor" with "request", offering a slightly more formal tone.

I'm calling in a favor

Implies a previous agreement or obligation where a favor is now being requested in return.

I'm here to ask for a favor

Explicitly states the purpose of the interaction is to request assistance.

FAQs

How can I politely say "I have a favor to ask"?

You can use phrases like "would you mind doing me a favor?", "is it okay to ask a favor?", or "I was hoping to ask a favor" to be more courteous.

What's a more formal way to say "have a favor to ask"?

In formal situations, consider using phrases such as "may I request your assistance?" or "I have a request to make", which convey respect and professionalism.

Is it better to be direct or indirect when you "have a favor to ask"?

It depends on your relationship with the person and the context. Being direct is often appreciated, but adding a polite introduction can soften the request. For example, you can say, "I need to ask a favor, and I was hoping you could help."

What should I do after someone grants the favor I "have a favor to ask"?

Express sincere gratitude. A simple "thank you" goes a long way. Depending on the magnitude of the favor, consider offering a reciprocal favor or a small gesture of appreciation.