so to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so to ask" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express a request or inquiry, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I wanted to clarify, so to ask, what are the next steps in the project?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"So to ask states to get involved is like asking states to run the post office.

The New York Times - Health

So to ask for another win like that is to ask too much….

The New Yorker

So to ask the kinds of questions that interested me was unusual.

The New York Times - Science

"So to ask that question and expect a black-and-white answer, you cannot have one".

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't like how I look, so to ask somebody else to like how I look is a big thing," she said.

Independent

"So to ask an Olympian would you want to lose benefits because of something you've never heard of or doesn't exist sounds crazy.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I have to contact so-and-so to ask which book I'm supposed to read.

The New York Times

Is that so much to ask? Apparently so.

The New York Times

"Is that so much to ask?" Apparently so.

The New York Times

"Is that so much to ask for?

The New York Times - Magazine

It's not so much to ask.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "so to ask" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "therefore, I ask" or "thus, I inquire" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Don't use "so to ask" as a transitional phrase if the intention is to present a direct question. Instead, restructure the sentence to integrate the question more smoothly, or use a simple conjunction like "so I ask" or a more explicit connector like "therefore, I ask".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so to ask" functions as a connector, attempting to link a preceding statement with an inquiry. However, it is grammatically non-standard and lacks a clear syntactical role, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. The phrase aims to introduce a question as a consequence or continuation of a previous point.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "so to ask" appears in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, its structure and purpose are not aligned with standard English usage. Although frequently used in news articles and scientific publications, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal or professional contexts. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "therefore I ask" or "thus I inquire" to maintain grammatical accuracy and enhance the clarity of your writing. Prioritize using connector phrases that accurately and grammatically represent the relationship between a previous statement and an inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in that case, to ask

Indicates that the question is conditional on the preceding information.

with that in mind, to ask

Highlights that the question is directly influenced by the preceding considerations.

therefore, to ask

Adds a stronger sense of logical consequence or summarization before posing a question.

that being said, to ask

Introduces a question that might seem contradictory or unexpected based on what was previously stated.

hence, to ask

Expresses a logical deduction or inference before introducing a question.

thus, to inquire

Replaces "ask" with the more formal "inquire", suitable for professional settings.

given this, to inquire

Similar to "in that case" but slightly more formal.

consequently, to question

Emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship before posing a question.

as a result, to question

Highlights a cause-and-effect relationship, making the question a natural consequence.

accordingly, to investigate

Suggests a formal inquiry or investigation, based on the preceding context.

FAQs

How can I use "so to ask" in a sentence correctly?

The phrase "so to ask" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives like "therefore I ask" or "thus I inquire" for clarity and proper grammar.

What are some alternatives to "so to ask"?

Alternatives include "therefore to ask", "thus to inquire", or simply rephrasing the sentence for better flow and grammatical correctness.

Is it acceptable to use "so to ask" in informal writing?

While you might encounter "so to ask" in informal contexts, it's generally advisable to avoid it even there, as it can sound awkward or unclear. Opt for more direct and grammatically sound phrasing.

What is the difference between "so to ask" and "so I ask"?

"So I ask" is grammatically correct and serves as a simple transition into a question. "So to ask", on the other hand, is not standard English and should be avoided in favor of clearer alternatives. When transitioning to a question use "so I ask".