quick ask

USAGE SUMMARY

'quick ask' is not correct and usable in written English.
You should use the phrase 'ask quickly' instead. For example, "Can you ask quickly if the store has any more of the item in stock?".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I thought I was alone in feeling this way, but all it took was a quick ask to realize that anyone with a pair of breasts can commiserate.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Should I do that real quick?" asked James Cromitie, according to a recording from May 2009 played in Federal District Court in Manhattan.

The New York Times

"Should we say we'll lay on charter flights to Syria; turn up with your passport and if you are over 18, if this is the life you want, then go?", Mr Quick asked.

Independent

By Stan Clodeswood and Geoffrey T. Hellman The New Yorker, November 26 , 1949P. 23 A member of the staff of Quick asked a newsstand man in Grand Central how the magazine was going.

The New Yorker

Becky Quick asks on behalf of a shareholder about Berkshire's book of derivative investments "Who will managed these weapons of mass destruction after you're gone?" she asks, adding that people don't don't want a situation like the American International Group after the ouster of its longtime chief executive.

The New York Times

You will produce better work quicker, ask more pertinent questions and have better ideas the more aware you are.

The Guardian

"Six quicks?" asks Harry Tuttle.

The Guardian - Sport

Quick to ask questions.

The New York Times - Arts

Some analysts were quick to ask why it took the government so long to step in.

The New York Times

Mr. Brokaw was quick to ask the general if the United States was trying a "surgical strike" against the Iraqi leadership.

The New York Times

National political figures are now quick to ask forgiveness when they've offended delicate sensibilities; conversely, they rarely take responsibility for truly poor decisions and harmful policies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey the idea of asking something without delay, use "ask quickly" or "be quick to ask". This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid placing the adjective "quick" directly before the verb "ask". In English, adverbs typically modify verbs. Therefore, using "ask quickly" is grammatically preferable to "quick ask".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quick ask" functions as an attempt to describe the action of asking in a fast or prompt manner. However, as Ludwig AI notes, this construction is not grammatically sound in standard English. Examples show varied usage, but the intended meaning is generally clear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "quick ask" attempts to convey the idea of asking something promptly, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "ask quickly" instead. Although some examples exist, the phrase is rare and primarily found in informal contexts. For clear and grammatically sound communication, avoid using "quick ask" and opt for alternatives like "ask quickly" or "be quick to ask".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask quickly

Reorders the words to form a grammatically correct phrase. It maintains the sense of asking without delay.

promptly ask

Uses a synonym for "quick" to maintain the immediacy, but in a more formal manner.

hastily inquire

Replaces both words with synonyms emphasizing speed and a more formal tone for "ask".

make a quick inquiry

Turns the phrase into a noun-based expression, using "inquiry" instead of "ask".

quickly make a request

Substitutes "ask" with "make a request" to provide a more formal and descriptive equivalent.

swiftly put a question

Emphasizes the speed with "swiftly" and uses "put a question" as an alternative to asking.

rapidly pose a question

Uses "rapidly" to highlight the speed and "pose a question" for a more formal tone.

immediately ask

Focuses on the immediacy of the action, using "immediately" to convey urgency.

expeditiously inquire

Employs more formal vocabulary to denote the promptness of asking.

be quick to ask

Transforms the phrase into an instruction, highlighting the importance of asking promptly.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of asking something quickly in a sentence?

Use the phrase "ask quickly" to correctly convey the idea of asking something without delay. For example, "Please ask quickly so we can move on."

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

While "quick ask" is grammatically incorrect, a more formal alternative that conveys a similar meaning could be "expeditiously inquire". However, in most contexts, "ask quickly" is sufficient.

Is "quick ask" ever acceptable in written English?

No, "quick ask" is generally not considered acceptable in standard written English. The correct phrasing is to use an adverb to modify the verb, such as "ask quickly".

What's the difference between "quick ask" and "ask quickly"?

"Quick ask" is grammatically incorrect because "quick" is an adjective, and you need an adverb to modify the verb "ask". The correct form is "ask quickly", where "quickly" is an adverb.