to ask upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to ask upon' is not correct or usable in written English.
You may try using 'to inquire about' in place of 'to ask upon'. Example: He came to me to inquire about the whereabouts of his lost wallet.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As for me, I may begin to ask upon entering a new restaurant, not the name of the chef in the back, but "Hey, what's the name of the guy up front?" My prediction for 2012?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It boils down to asking, upon receiving each email: "What is the action item?" It's really hard for me to create this new habit, but I'm trying.

TechCrunch

We are here to ask blessings upon our armed forces, blessings upon all who contribute to the essence of the American spirit, the American dream.

Huffington Post

We come at this time to ask blessings upon our leaders, the president, vice president, members of Congress, all elected and appointed officials of the United States of America.

Huffington Post

They mostly just sit around waiting for handouts from the press office and hope to be called upon to ask some "gotcha" question whenever there is a press conference.

Forbes

Fellow Delegates, we are called upon to ask a simple question.

HuffPost

Knowing whom and how to ask is dependent upon the local situation.

International Journal of STEM Education

You can also go through any cosmetic or plastic surgeon directory for some of the questions you might want to ask your surgeon upon the visit.

Huffington Post

For example, clinical scientists can better understand the limitations and assumptions in the animal models; basic researchers, in turn, can return to the lab to ask pivotal questions upon informed review of early phase human studies.

Brain

"I'm going to ask them to deliberate upon this: The American people are unhappy with what is going on in Washington.

The New York Times

Do you still like her? That's the question you have to ask yourself when gazing upon the beautiful coffee-table book "The National Enquirer: Thirty Years of Unforgettable Images".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "to ask upon" in formal or informal writing. Instead, opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "to inquire about" or "to ask about".

Common error

A common mistake is pairing "ask" with an incorrect preposition. Remember to use "ask about" or "ask for" instead of "ask upon" to maintain grammatical accuracy. For example, instead of "I will ask upon the matter", write "I will ask about the matter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to ask upon" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this, suggesting alternatives like "to inquire about". The intended grammatical function is usually to seek information or make a request, but the non-standard phrasing obscures this.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to ask upon" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives such as "to inquire about" or "to ask about". While some instances appear across various sources, including news media and scientific publications, its usage is rare and not recommended for formal writing. It's crucial to use standard English phrases to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ask for

A simpler, more common way to express the act of seeking something.

to inquire about

Replaces "ask upon" with a more standard and direct way of seeking information.

to request

Focuses on formally asking for something, suitable for official contexts.

to ask regarding

A more formal way to inquire about a particular subject.

to query about

A direct and somewhat formal way to ask about something specific.

to pose a question about

Emphasizes the act of raising a question regarding a specific topic.

to ask in relation to

Specifies that the question is connected to a certain context or topic.

to seek information on

Highlights the intent to find out details about something.

to make an inquiry about

A formal way of asking, implying a detailed or official request.

to solicit information on

Indicates actively seeking information, often from multiple sources.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "ask" with a preposition?

The verb "ask" is commonly followed by prepositions like "about" or "for", depending on the context. For instance, you "ask about" a topic or "ask for" assistance. The phrase "to ask upon" is not considered standard English.

Are there situations where "to ask upon" is appropriate?

No, "to ask upon" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. It's better to use alternatives like "to inquire about" or simply "to ask about".

What can I say instead of "to ask upon"?

You can use alternatives like "to inquire about", "to ask about", or "to request" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "to ask upon" ever used in formal writing?

No, "to ask upon" is not recommended for formal writing. It's best to stick to standard English phrases such as "to inquire about" or "to ask about" to ensure clarity and correctness.