please ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please ask" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inviting someone to inquire about something or seek clarification. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, please ask."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And please ask away.

The New York Times

Please ask the transport department".

The New York Times

Please Ask Jack to read the Guardian.

The Guardian - Tech

Please, please ask me about world catastrophe.

The Guardian

So please ask him a question!

The Guardian - Books

Please ask me anything you want".

The New York Times - Magazine

Please ask @friendslifetalk to do right thing".

The Guardian - Money

Please ask them to donate $50,000".

The New York Times

Please ask them in the comment box below.

The New York Times

For infallibility, please ask for el Papa Francisco.

The New York Times

"Please ask me about my holiday in India," she begged.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please ask", be specific about what you want the person to ask about. For instance, "Please ask about the project requirements" provides more context than a general "Please ask".

Common error

Avoid using "please ask" when a direct instruction is more appropriate. Instead of "Please ask for help", a more effective phrasing would be "Request assistance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please ask" functions primarily as a polite imperative, inviting someone to make an inquiry. As indicated by Ludwig, it's used to encourage questions or requests for further information. The numerous examples show that the expression is used to make conversations and requests more agreeable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

17%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "please ask" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to politely invite someone to inquire or seek clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across a wide range of contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, formal business, science and wiki sources. While versatile, it's important to ensure its use is appropriate; sometimes, a direct imperative is more effective. Consider alternatives like "feel free to ask" or "do not hesitate to ask" depending on the situation. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential pitfalls, you can effectively use "please ask" to encourage interaction and facilitate clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if you have any questions, ask

Explicitly states the condition for asking and directly invites the question.

feel free to ask

Offers a more casual invitation to ask questions or seek clarification.

don't hesitate to ask

Encourages the recipient to ask without reservation.

you are welcome to ask

Invites the recipient to ask questions, emphasizing their freedom to do so.

kindly inquire

Replaces "please" with "kindly" and "ask" with "inquire", creating a slightly more formal tone.

if anything is unclear, please inquire

Similar to "please ask", but specifically prompted if something is unclear.

do not hesitate to inquire

A more formal version of "don't hesitate to ask", using "inquire" instead of "ask".

let me know if you have any questions

Shifts the focus to the speaker being available to answer any question

questions are welcome

A shorter way to invite someone to ask question.

queries are welcome

A more formal way to say that question are welcome.

FAQs

How do I use "please ask" in a sentence?

You can use "please ask" to politely invite someone to seek further information or clarification. For example, "If you have any questions, "please ask"".

What's a good alternative to "please ask"?

Alternatives include "feel free to ask", "do not hesitate to ask", or "kindly inquire", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "please ask"?

While generally correct, "please ask" may be redundant in situations where a direct request is more appropriate. For example, instead of "Please ask for the report", simply state "Request the report."

What is the difference between "please ask" and "feel free to ask"?

"Please ask" is a general polite invitation, while "feel free to ask" suggests a more casual and open invitation, implying there should be no hesitation in asking.