INDEX:
to ask questions
1. to ask someone a question
2. to ask several people questions
3. to ask someone a lot of questions
4. when the police, a court etc asks someone about a crime
5. to ask someone questions for a newspaper, TV programme etc
6. to ask someone questions to decide whether to offer them a job etc
7. something that you ask someone
8. a set of questions
to ask for something
9. to ask for something, or to ask someone to do something
10. ways of asking someone to do something or to let you have something
11. to ask strongly for something or for someone to do something
12. to keep asking for something in an annoying way
13. to ask for something officially
14. to ask for money or food because you do not have any
15. to ask a professional person to do some work for you
16. to ask for help or kindness
17. a statement, letter, message etc in which you ask for something
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ ANSWER
to ask if you can do something : ↑ LET/ALLOW (2)
see also
↑ INVITE
↑ ADVISE
↑ SUGGEST
↑ TELL
↑ FIND OUT
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1. to ask someone a question
▷ ask /ɑːskǁæsk/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
▪ If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask.
▪ For information about the new drug, ask your doctor.
ask (somebody) if/whether
▪ I was a little surprised when he asked me if I was married.
ask (somebody) about something
▪ They’ll probably just ask you about your education and work experience.
ask (somebody) what/how/why etc
▪ What should I tell people if they ask me why you didn’t come to the party?
ask (somebody) a question
▪ At the end of the presentation you’ll all have a chance to ask questions.
questioner /ˈkwestʃənəʳ/ [countable noun] British :
▪ A questioner in the studio audience asked the Labour MP to defend his party’s recent statement.
▷ consult /kənˈsʌlt/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to ask for information or advice from someone, because it is their job to know about it :
▪ Before starting any exercise program, you should consult your doctor.
consult with
▪ The President is going to consult with European leaders before making his decision.
consult somebody about something
▪ We’ve consulted with several engineers about the best way to support the bridge.
consultation /ˌkɒns ə lˈteɪʃ ə nǁˌkɑːn-/ [uncountable noun]
▪ Baring accepted the offer after consultation with his lawyers.
▷ want to know /ˌwɒnt tə ˈnəʊǁˌwɑːnt-/ [verb phrase]
to ask something - use this especially when you are reporting what someone else has asked :
▪ ‘Why didn’t you write to me?’ Barbara wanted to know.
▪ The policeman wanted to know their names, but they wouldn’t tell him.
want to know about
▪ Everybody in the office wanted to know about my trip.
want to know where/how/why etc
▪ Jason wants to know where you keep the kitchen scissors.
▷ inquire also enquire /ɪnˈkwaɪəʳ/ [intransitive/transitive verb] especially British formal
to ask someone for information about something, especially someone whose job is to know about it :
▪ ‘Where is the director’s office?’ he enquired.
▪ We inquired at all the hotels in town, but we couldn’t find Carol anywhere.
inquire about
▪ Several people have phoned the personnel department to inquire about the position.
inquire if/whether
▪ She stopped a guard and enquired whether the train went to Evesham.
inquire how/when etc
▪ We rang the hospital again to inquire how the old man was.
▷ sound out /ˌsaʊnd ˈaʊt/ [transitive phrasal verb not in passive]
to find out what someone thinks about your plan or idea by asking them questions, especially because you want their help or support :
sound somebody out
▪ I think she’ll like the idea, but you’d better sound her out first.
sound out somebody
▪ Before launching the project, they sounded out a number of leading experts.
sound out about/on
▪ The board of directors have sounded him out about taking the CEO position.
▷ put somebody on the spot /ˌpʊt somebody ɒn ðə ˈspɒtǁ-ˈspɑːt/ [verb phrase]
to deliberately ask someone a question that they find difficult or embarrassing to answer :
▪ The reporter’s questions were clearly designed to put the Senator on the spot.
▪ I don’t want to put you on the spot, but I’m really curious about how you know Tim.
2. to ask several people questions
▷ ask around /ˌɑːsk əˈraʊndǁˌæsk-/ [intransitive phrasal verb]
to ask several people, especially people that you know, in order to get information from them :
▪ I’m not sure where you can find a babysitter - I’ll ask around.
ask around about
▪ Stephen’s been asking around about the best places to go in the evenings.
▷ make inquiries also make enquiries /ˌmeɪk ɪnˈkwaɪ ə riz/ [verb phrase] especially British
to try to get information about something by asking several people, especially people whose job is to know about it :
▪ After making a few inquiries, we decided not to hire her.
make inquiries about
▪ We graduate next month and most of my classmates are already making enquiries about jobs.
▪ The bank made inquiries about her financial situation before agreeing to the loan.
▷ poll /pəʊl/ [transitive verb]
to ask a lot of people a set of questions about a subject that is important to the public, especially politics, in order to find out the general opinion about it :
▪ Nearly 60% of the voters who were polled did not recognize Bronson’s name.
▪ For its study the company polled 150 randomly selected physicians.
▷ poll /pəʊl/ [countable noun]
an attempt to find out about a subject that is important to the public, especially politics, by asking many people a set of question about how they feel about it :
▪ According to the polls, a huge majority of citizens oppose bilingual education.
poll of
▪ A poll of 700 female registered voters found that 56% favor full abortion rights.
opinion poll
a poll to find out people’s political opinions
▪ Recent opinion polls show that the President’s popularity has slipped.
carry out/take a poll
▪ In a nationwide poll carried out in January, only one person in ten said they were happy with the tax reforms.
▷ survey /ˈsɜːʳveɪ/ [transitive verb]
to ask a lot of people a set of questions about their opinions, the way they live, what they like and dislike etc in order to find out general opinions :
▪ A large segment of the population that was surveyed was taking vitamin supplements.
▪ Researchers surveyed 10,000 customers about the quality of companies that they used.
▷ survey /ˈsɜːʳveɪ/ [countable noun]
an attempt to find out people’s opinions, the way they live, what they like and dislike etc, by asking a large number of people a set of questions :
▪ A recent survey found that 36% of the women asked did not feel safe walking alone at night.
survey of
▪ According to a survey of 606 city residents, garbage collection was the city service people liked most.
survey on
▪ Many parents were surprised by the survey on teenage drug use.
carry out/conduct a survey
▪ The survey on consumer confidence was conducted in late December.
▷ canvass /ˈkænvəs/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to go to the houses of a lot of people or phone a lot of people up in order to find out their political opinions or to get their political support :
▪ Party members were out canvassing as soon as the election was announced.
▪ We canvassed over half the constituency by phone or text-message.
3. to ask someone a lot of questions
▷ question /ˈkwestʃ ə n/ [transitive verb]
to ask someone a lot of questions, in order to get information or find out what they think :
▪ We all wondered where Sylvia got the money, but no one dared question her.
question somebody about something
▪ Liz was very well informed and questioned me about the political situation in Africa.
question somebody closely
carefully, asking a lot of difficult questions
▪ The interviewer questioned Miss Jarvis closely about her computer experience.
questioner [countable noun]
▪ Jim Lehrer was the only questioner of the candidates in the debate.
▷ fire/shoot questions at /ˌfaɪəʳ, ˌʃuːt ˈkwestʃ ə nz æt/ [verb phrase]
to ask someone a lot of questions very quickly in order to confuse them or make them admit to something :
▪ The lawyer fired questions at me so quickly I didn’t have time to think.
▪ The teacher kept shooting questions at the frightened girls until they confessed everything.
▷ grill also give somebody a grilling British /ˈgrɪl, ˌgɪv somebody ə ˈgrɪlɪŋ/ [transitive verb]
to ask someone a lot of difficult questions in order to make them explain their actions, plans, or opinions :
▪ I stood in the hall and listened as the interviewers grilled the next candidate.
▪ Hilda’s teacher gave her a real grilling about why she’d missed so many classes.
grill somebody about/on something
▪ Maxine started grilling me on why I’d been spending so much time alone.
grilling [countable noun]
▪ The meeting turned out to be a grilling by Democrats of the Republican senator about his proposal.
▷ give somebody the third degree /ˌgɪv somebody ðə ˌθɜːʳd dɪˈgriː/ [verb phrase] informal
to ask someone a lot of difficult questions in order to make them explain their actions, plans, or opinions :
▪ I was just out with friends - you don’t have to give me the third degree.
▪ Whenever one of my boyfriends came to the house, Dad would give them the third degree.
▷ pump somebody for /ˈpʌmp somebody fɔːʳ/ [verb phrase]
to ask someone a lot of questions about a particular subject or event in order to get as much information as possible :
pump somebody for information/details
▪ Viktor sat with Vassily and me and pumped me for information about hockey teams.
▪ He wants to pump Jody for the details of some job her company is advertising.
▷ quiz /kwɪz/ [transitive verb]
to ask someone a lot of questions, especially because you want to find out what they have been doing, and often in a way that annoys them :
▪ When Stan eventually came home from the party, his wife quizzed him for hours.
quiz somebody about/on something
▪ My parents never stop quizzing me about where I go at night.
▪ Reporters quizzed the President on tax policy and Central America.
▷ pick somebody’s brains /ˌpɪk somebodyˈs ˈbreɪnz/ [verb phrase]
to ask someone for information about something because you think they know more about it than you :
▪ You know all about tax law - can I pick your brains for a minute?
▪ The workshop is designed so that new managers can pick the brains of managers with more experience.
4. when the police, a court etc asks someone about a crime
▷ question /ˈkwestʃ ə n/ [transitive verb]
to ask someone a lot of questions to find out what they know about a crime :
▪ They questioned her for three hours before releasing her.
question somebody about something
▪ The lawyer questioned me about how money was transmitted to Mexico.
question somebody closely
carefully, asking a lot of difficult questions
▪ After questioning the suspect closely, investigators decided he was not a part of the drug operation.
questioning [uncountable noun]
▪ The lawyer’s questioning of the witness did not go on as long as expected.
keep/hold somebody for questioning
▪ Mr Hayes is being kept at Newham police station for questioning.
questioner [countable noun]
▪ Eventually his questioners realized he was not the man they wanted and let him go.
▷ interrogate /ɪnˈterəgeɪt/ [transitive verb]
to keep asking a lot of questions for a long time, sometimes using threats, in order to get information :
▪ The police interrogated Waters for 24 hours until he confessed.
▪ Army officers have been accused of using unorthodox methods when interrogating enemy prisoners.
interrogate somebody about something
▪ I was interrogated at length about my conversation with the two men.
interrogation /ɪnˌterəˈgeɪʃ ə n/ [countable/uncountable noun]
▪ Most of the information about the bombings came from the interrogation of terrorist suspects.
interrogator [countable noun]
▪ The report concludes that military interrogators routinely use torture to find out what they want.
▷ cross-examine also cross-question British /ˌkrɒs ɪgˈzæmə̇n, ˌkrɒs ˈkwestʃ ə nǁˌkrɔːs-/ [transitive verb]
if a lawyer cross-examines or cross-questions someone in a law court, they ask them a series of questions about their previous statements in order to find out whether they have been telling the truth :
▪ The first lawyer cross-examined the defendant for over three hours.
▪ When the witness was cross-questioned, it became clear that his earlier testimony was not entirely true.
cross-examination/cross-questioning /ˌkrɒs ɪgˌzæmə̇ˈneɪʃ ə n, ˌkrɒs ˈkwestʃənɪŋǁˌkrɔːs-/ [countable/uncountable noun]
during/under/in cross-examination
▪ Under cross-examination, the psychiatrist admitted that he could not be sure of his diagnosis.
▷ carry out door-to-door inquiries /ˌkæri aʊt ˌdɔːʳ tə ˌdɔːr ɪnˈkwaɪ ə riz/ [verb phrase] British
if the police carry out door-to-door inquiries, they go to all the houses in a particular area to ask the people living there what they know about a crime :
▪ Police are carrying out door-to-door inquiries on the Hazelwood Estate.
▷ be helping police with their inquiries /biː ˌhelpɪŋ pəˌliːs wɪð ðeər ɪnˈkwaɪ ə riz/ [verb phrase]
to be formally being asked questions by the police about a crime - used especially in news reports about someone who the police think is guilty of a crime but who has not been officially charged :
▪ A man is helping police with their inquiries after a mother and her young baby were found dead at their home last night.
5. to ask someone questions for a newspaper, TV programme etc
▷ interview /ˈɪntəʳvjuː/ [transitive verb]
▪ At the end of the race the winner was interviewed by NBC news.
▪ She has interviewed celebrities and political leaders on her radio programme for over 25 years.
interviewer [countable noun]
▪ Browning told one interviewer that he is considering running for office again next year.
▷ interview /ˈɪntəʳvjuː/ [countable noun]
a meeting in which one person asks another person questions for a newspaper, TV programme etc :
▪ During a recent interview Rohr said the renovations will cost $38 million.
interview with
▪ An interview with the actress appears in next week’s ‘People’ magazine.
TV/radio/newspaper interview
▪ In his latest TV interview the lead singer talks about his drug problem.
give an interview
allow someone to interview you
▪ The new Prime Minister gave his first full-length TV interview last night.
6. to ask someone questions to decide whether to offer them a job etc
▷ interview /ˈɪntəʳvjuː/ [transitive verb]
to ask someone a lot of questions as part of a formal process, so that you can decide whether they are suitable for a job, a chance to study at a college etc :
▪ I’ll be interviewing two candidates today and three others tomorrow.
▪ All prospective students are interviewed by alumni before a final decision is made.
interview somebody for a job/post etc
▪ We’ve interviewed a woman for the job already, but she wasn’t very well qualified.
▷ interview /ˈɪntəʳvjuː/ [countable noun]
a formal meeting in which a person or group of people ask someone questions in order to find out whether they are suitable for a job, a chance to study at college etc :
▪ I always get nervous before interviews.
▪ Ron’s going to Tufts University next week for an interview and a tour of the campus.
interview for
▪ She had an interview last week for a job at an Internet company.
job interview
▪ Kyle went out and bought a new suit for his job interview.
7. something that you ask someone
▷ question /ˈkwestʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
what you say or write when you are asking for information :
▪ That’s a very difficult question to answer.
▪ Does anyone have any further questions?
▪ There were several questions Melanie wanted to ask the interviewer.
question about
▪ I hate it when strangers ask me questions about my private life.
▷ query /ˈkwɪ ə ri/ [countable noun] British
a question that you ask when you have not completely understood something or you are not sure that something is true or correct :
▪ If anyone has a query I’ll deal with it at the end of the meeting.
▪ I would be happy to answer people’s queries if they write to me at my home address.
query about
▪ Since the TV programme the advice bureau has received lots of queries about maternity rights.
raise a query
ask a question
▪ One of the students raised a query about the marking system.
▷ inquiry also enquiry /ɪnˈkwaɪ ə riǁ ɪnˈkwaɪ ə ri, ˈɪŋkwəri/ [countable noun] especially British
a question you ask in order to get information or find out the details about something :
▪ We have only just put the house up for sale, and we’ve already received lots of enquiries.
inquiry about
▪ For all inquiries about flight schedules, please call the following number.
▷ leading/loaded question /ˌliːdɪŋ, ˌləʊdə̇d ˈkwestʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
a question that deliberately tricks someone, so that they give you the answer that you want or say something that they do not intend to say :
▪ You don’t expect me to answer a loaded question like that, do you?
▪ The jurors said interviewers used leading questions and coached the children on how they should answer.
▷ trick question /ˌtrɪk ˈkwestʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
a question that seems easy to answer but has a hidden difficulty :
▪ ‘Did you have a good time while I was gone?’ ‘That’s a trick question, right? If I say yes, you’ll be angry that I didn’t miss you.’
8. a set of questions
▷ questionnaire /ˌkwestʃəˈneəʳ, ˌkes-/ [countable noun]
a piece of paper with a set of questions on it, which is given to a large number of people to find out what they think :
▪ Of nearly 5,000 questionnaires that were sent out, only 428 were returned.
▪ The questionnaire asks students how they feel about services on campus.
complete/fill out a questionnaire
▪ Please complete the questionnaire and return it in the envelope provided.
▷ form /fɔːʳm/ [countable noun]
a piece of paper with a set of questions that you answer in order to provide information about yourself for an organization, employer etc :
▪ Make sure you sign and date the form before you return it.
application form
a form with questions you must answer if you want a job, a chance to study etc
▪ The visa requires an application form and two photos.
fill out/in a form also fill up a form
British write the answer to the questions on a form
▪ Just fill in the form and take it along to your local bank.
9. to ask for something, or to ask someone to do something
▷ ask /ɑːskǁæsk/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
▪ If you ever need any help with anything, you only have to ask.
▪ She might be willing to babysit, but you won’t know till you ask her.
ask (somebody) for something
▪ A lot of people don’t like asking for help.
▪ He can’t pay the rent, but he still doesn’t want to ask his parents for money.
ask something of somebody
▪ All I’ve ever asked of you is to try to be polite to my mother.
ask somebody to do something
▪ I’ve asked Mary to water the plants for me while I’m away.
ask to do something
ask to be allowed to do something
▪ The man on the phone wasn’t very helpful, so I asked to speak with the manager.
ask if you can do something
▪ Letty’s been asking me if she can take the dog out for a walk.
▷ order /ˈɔːʳdəʳ/ [transitive verb]
to ask for something you are going to pay for - use this about asking for food or drink in restaurants, or asking companies to send you goods :
▪ Would you like to order a drink before dinner?
▪ We had ordered a pale blue armchair but the one that was delivered was dark green.
▪ I’m afraid we don’t have that book in stock, but we can order it for you.
order [countable noun]
▪ I’m very sorry, but we seem to have lost your order.
▷ send out for // also order out for American /ˌsend ˈaʊt fɔːʳ, ˌɔːʳdər ˈaʊt fɔːʳ/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to ask a restaurant or a food shop to deliver food to you at home or work :
▪ During the meeting we sent out for some coffee.
▪ I don’t feel like cooking tonight. Let’s order out for a pizza.
▷ seek /siːk/ [transitive verb] formal
to ask for advice, help, or money from someone who has the knowledge, right, or power to provide it :
▪ The Carsons sought advice from their lawyer.
▪ Take two tablets every four hours. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
▪ In his lawsuit, Wyman is seeking $12 million in damages from his former employers.
▷ invite /ɪnˈvaɪt/ [transitive verb] formal
to politely ask someone to ask questions, or give their answers, opinions, or suggestions :
▪ Applications for this position are invited from all individuals with relevant experience.
invite somebody to do something
▪ At the end of the lecture, Dr. Bosch invited the audience to ask questions and share their ideas.
10. ways of asking someone to do something or to let you have something
▷ would/do you mind? /ˌwʊd ˌduː jʊ ˈmaɪnd/
use this to ask someone politely to do something for you or to let you do something :
▪ I’d like to ask you a couple of questions - do you mind?
would/do you mind if
▪ Would you mind if I held the baby?
▪ Do you mind if I just turn down the volume a little?
would/do you mind doing something?
▪ Would you mind stopping at the Post Office on the way home?
▪ Dinner won’t be on the table for another half hour - do you mind waiting?
▷ (would/could you) do me a favour? British /(would/could you) do me a favor? American /(ˌwʊd, ˌkʊd jʊ) ˌduː mi ə ˈfeɪvəʳ/
use this to ask someone to do something for you or help you with something. Using do me a favour alone is more informal than saying would or could you do me a favour :
▪ Would you do me a favour and call Tom to tell him I’m on my way home?
▪ Do me a favor - in that box over there, there’s a screwdriver - can you hand it to me?
▪ Could you do me a favour and lock everything up at five?
▷ I would be grateful if ... also I would appreciate it if ... /aɪ wʊd bi ˈgreɪtf ə l ɪf, aɪ wʊd əˈpriːʃieɪt ɪt ɪf/
use this in formal language or business letters to ask someone to do something for you :
▪ I would be grateful if you could send this information to me at the address below.
▪ I would appreciate it if you could let me know when you will be making your decision.
▷ could you/would you/can you ... ? /ˈkjʊd juː, ˈwʊd juː, ˈkæn juː/
use this to ask someone to do something for you. Could you and would you are more polite than can you :
▪ Could you hold these while I get my keys?
▪ Would you get me a towel, please?
▪ Can you babysit for us Friday night?
▷ excuse me/pardon me /ɪkˈskjuːz miː, ˈpɑːʳdn miː/
use this to politely get someone’s attention or to interrupt what they are doing when you want to ask them something. Pardon me is slightly old-fashioned and is more formal than excuse me :
▪ Excuse me, could I borrow your pen for a minute?
▪ Pardon me, do you know what time it is?
11. to ask strongly for something or for someone to do something
▷ demand /dɪˈmɑːndǁdɪˈmænd/ [transitive verb]
to ask for something, or ask someone to do something, in a firm or angry way that shows you expect them to do it :
▪ I demand an explanation for your appalling behaviour.
▪ The laboratory was surrounded by protesters demanding an end to the animal experiments.
▪ The chief demanded a thorough investigation into the murder.
demand to do something
▪ The police officer made Neil get out of the car and demanded to see his driver’s licence.
demand that
▪ Just go to the dry cleaners, show them the dress, and demand that they pay for the damage.
▷ beg /beg/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to ask for something, or ask someone to do something, in an anxious way that shows you want it very much :
▪ All right, all right, I’ll come! Just stop begging.
▪ He said he wouldn’t give me the money unless I got down on my knees and begged him.
beg (somebody) for something
▪ The prisoner was in so much pain all he could do was scream and beg for mercy.
▪ It’s the same old story - one night he beats her up, and the next day he begs her for forgiveness.
beg somebody to do something
▪ We all begged him not to drive in the storm, but he wouldn’t listen to us.
▷ plead /pliːd/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to ask for something that you want very much, in a sincere and emotional way :
▪ ‘Please forgive me,’ she pleaded ‘I’ll never do it again.’
plead for
▪ The wife of one of the hostages appeared on TV last night to plead for her husband’s life.
plead with somebody
▪ Parker pleaded with his supporters in the crowd to remain calm.
▷ press for/push for /ˈpres fɔːʳ , ˈpʊʃ fɔːʳ/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to ask strongly and repeatedly for something important such as a change in the law or the rules, because you think it is necessary :
▪ People in the medical profession are pressing for genuine reforms in policy.
▪ The team is pushing for a new stadium to be built downtown.
▪ Women have been pressing for equal rights and pay for years.
▷ call for /ˈkɔːl fɔːʳ/ [transitive phrasal verb]
if someone, especially a group of people, calls for something such as justice, equality etc they ask for it strongly and publicly because they think an unfair situation needs to be changed :
▪ Amnesty International has consistently called for the release of political prisoners.
▪ The Football Association is likely to call for a ban on alcohol at football games.
▪ Leaders in both parties are calling for changes in campaign finance laws.
▷ call on/upon /ˈkɔːl ɒn, əpɒn/ [transitive phrasal verb]
if someone, especially an organization in a bad situation, calls on someone to do something, they ask strongly and urgently for that person to do it because their help is needed :
call on/upon somebody to do something
▪ We are calling upon the government to release all political prisoners.
▪ The Secretary called on all Americans to help stop the abuse and neglect of children.
call on/upon somebody for something
▪ The dance company has called on ballet-lovers everywhere for financial support.
12. to keep asking for something in an annoying way
▷ nag /næg/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to keep asking someone to do something, in a very annoying way :
▪ Oh, stop nagging - I’ll do it later.
▪ Look, I don’t want to keep nagging you, but would you please take your stuff out of the living room?
nag somebody to do something
▪ My children are always nagging me to get new videos.
▷ go on /gəʊ ˈɒn/ [intransitive phrasal verb] British informal
to keep asking someone to do something that you think they should do, so that they become annoyed :
go on about
▪ Mick went to have his hair cut just to stop his wife going on about it.
go on at somebody
▪ Look, I’ll do the dishes when I’ve finished writing this letter. Just stop going on at me !
go on at somebody to do something
▪ Mum was always going on at me to do something with my musical talent, but I was more interested in sport.
▷ pester /ˈpestəʳ/ [transitive verb]
to keep asking someone to do something or asking them for something in an annoying way :
▪ She used to pester her father until she got exactly what she wanted.
pester somebody to do something
▪ The kids are always pestering us to take them to the beach.
pester somebody for something
▪ One of the guys at work kept pestering her for a date, so she finally reported him.
13. to ask for something officially
▷ apply /əˈplaɪ/ [intransitive verb]
to write to someone asking for something such as a job, an opportunity to study at a university, or permission to do something :
▪ ‘I still haven’t received my passport.’ ‘When did you apply?’
apply for
▪ How many jobs had you applied for before you were offered this one?
apply to do something
▪ Finland did not apply to join the EC until 1992.
▷ claim /kleɪm/ [transitive verb] especially British
to ask for something, especially money, from a government, company etc, because you believe you have a legal right to have it :
▪ Thousands of people who should get welfare payments never even bother to claim them.
claim something from somebody
▪ The two companies are claiming $500 million each in damages from the government.
claim damages/compensation
▪ Because the accident had not been her fault, Barbara was able to claim damages.
▷ request /rɪˈkwest/ [transitive verb] formal
to officially ask someone for something or ask someone to do something :
▪ The pilot requested permission to land the plane at O'Hare airport.
▪ Officials in Seoul are requesting the drug dealer’s extradition from Bahrain.
request that
▪ We request that all cell phones and pagers be turned off for the duration of the performance.
be requested to do something
▪ Anna was requested to make the necessary arrangements for the convention.
▷ approach /əˈprəʊtʃ/ [transitive verb]
to officially ask someone that you do not know well for something or ask them to do something, especially when you are not sure if they will do it :
▪ Will you be approaching the bank for a loan?
▪ They had approached Barlow to see if he would participate in the charity event.
▪ I have been approached regarding the possibility of selling the building to a startup company.
▷ put in for /ˌpʊt ˈɪn fɔːʳ/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to ask someone for something such as a job, government money etc that is available, by officially writing to them to say that you want it :
▪ I’ve put in for a transfer to one of our overseas branches.
▪ All those who lost their jobs put in for compensation.
▪ Students must put in for grants at least six months before their course begins.
▷ applicant /ˈæplɪkənt/ [countable noun]
someone who officially asks for something such as a job, official document etc by writing or answering the questions on a form :
▪ Ten women were selected from over 30 applicants.
applicant for
▪ Applicants for teacher-training courses need to have at least one year’s experience.
job/grant etc applicant
▪ Many job applicants do not know how to write an appealing cover letter.
▷ claimant /ˈkleɪmənt/ [countable noun]
someone who asks for something, especially money, from the government, a court etc, because they believe they have a legal right to it :
▪ The company will settle the lawsuit and provide compensation for claimants.
▪ Garcia is representing three Spanish-speaking claimants in their case against the state.
14. to ask for money or food because you do not have any
▷ scrounge /skraʊndʒ/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to ask someone for food, cigarettes etc especially because you do not have enough money or would prefer not to pay for them :
scrounge something off/from
▪ Nigel scrounged a drink off us before we left.
scrounge something
▪ We managed to scrounge some cigarettes because we had no money left.
scrounge
▪ When I was a kid I never had enough money for the bus, so I had to scrounge.
▷ cadge /kædʒ/ [transitive verb] British informal
to ask someone for something such as food, cigarettes etc because you do not have enough money or would prefer not to pay for them :
▪ Sonia is always cadging lifts home and she never offers any money for petrol.
▪ The two boys moved around the bar, cadging free drinks and cigarettes.
▷ bum /bʌm/ [transitive verb] informal
to ask someone for something such as food or cigarettes, in a way that annoys or embarrasses people :
▪ I think Steve managed to bum a lift home.
bum something off somebody
▪ He’s always bumming drinks off people and it really gets on my nerves.
▷ mooch off /ˈmuːtʃ ɒf/ [transitive phrasal verb] American informal
to ask someone for something such as food or cigarettes in a way that annoys or embarrasses people :
mooch something/it/them off
▪ This old guy was trying to mooch a beer off Dave.
mooch off somebody
▪ He never pays for anything - he’d even mooch off his own mother.
▷ beg also panhandle American /beg, ˈpænˌhændl/ [intransitive verb]
to ask people in the street for money or food because you do not have any :
▪ Things got so bad that at one point she thought she’d have to go out and beg.
▪ He just sits there on the street all day, but he doesn’t panhandle.
beg for
▪ Just a few years ago, Tanya was homeless and begging for money in front of the supermarket.
beg from
▪ Sad-looking men of all ages beg from tourists at the corner of the square.
beggar also panhandler American [countable noun]
▪ The streets of the capital are full of beggars.
▪ I’m so sick of the panhandlers always asking for money.
15. to ask a professional person to do some work for you
▷ call in /ˌkɔːl ˈɪn/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to ask someone who has special skills or knowledge to come and deal with a problem :
call in somebody
▪ They called in a private investigator to help them find their son.
▪ Eventually the teenager’s behaviour got so bad that the police had to be called in.
call somebody in
▪ When she threatened to sue, we had to call our own lawyer in.
▷ send for /ˈsend fɔːʳ/ [transitive phrasal verb] formal
to ask a professional person or professional service to come and help you do something because you do not have the knowledge yourself :
▪ You’ll have to send for the plumber to mend this leak.
▪ When he started vomiting blood, they sent for the doctor.
▪ The women refused to cooperate with store detectives, and we had to send for the police.
▷ get in /ˌget ˈɪn/ [transitive phrasal verb] British informal
to ask someone who provides a professional service to come to your home to do something :
get somebody in
▪ They got the electrician in because the central heating had stopped working.
▪ It would be much easier if we got somebody in to do all the catering.
get in somebody
▪ After the party we can get in professional carpet-cleaners to do the job.
▷ bring in /ˌbrɪŋ ˈɪn/ [transitive phrasal verb]
if someone, especially an organization, brings in a particular service or professional person, they ask them to come and help with a difficult situation or process :
bring somebody in
▪ Everyone was a little surprised by the board’s decision to bring Bob Rice in as CEO.
▪ As the crisis worsened, the government had no choice but to bring troops in.
bring in somebody
▪ Many schools are now bringing in private contractors to do the cleaning.
16. to ask for help or kindness
▷ ask a favour British /ask a favor American /ˌɑːsk ə ˈfeɪvəʳǁˌæsk-/ [verb phrase]
to ask someone to be kind or generous by helping you do something or by doing something for you :
▪ Could I ask a favour? I need someone to collect the children from school tonight. Are you free?
ask somebody a favour
▪ I need to ask you a big favor. Could you lend me $1000 till I get my tax refund?
▷ turn to /ˈtɜːʳn tuː/ [transitive phrasal verb]
if someone in a very bad situation turns to someone, they ask that person for help, comfort, sympathy etc :
▪ After my wife died I didn’t know who to turn to.
▪ Eventually I turned to an organization that helps people with drug and alcohol problems.
turn to somebody for something
▪ When things got really bad, I turned to my family for help.
▷ call on also call upon formal /ˈkɔːl ɒn , ˈkɔːl əpɒn/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to ask someone for help when you have a problem and especially when they have offered to help you when they can :
call on/upon somebody
▪ If you ever have a problem, you know that you can always call on us.
call on/upon somebody for something
▪ Members of the religious sect are very reluctant to call on outsiders for help.
call on/upon somebody to do something
▪ Being the only person in the office who speaks German, I’m often called upon to translate.
▷ appeal /əˈpiːl/ [intransitive verb]
to make a public request, for example on television or in the newspapers, for money, food, information etc, especially in order to help someone who is in a very bad situation :
appeal for
▪ The Red Cross is appealing for donations of food and clothing following the earthquake.
appeal to somebody for something
▪ The Murrays have appealed to the public for any information about their missing daughter.
appeal to somebody to do something
▪ The speaker had appealed to the miners to vote for their union.
17. a statement, letter, message etc in which you ask for something
▷ request /rɪˈkwest/ [countable noun]
a statement, letter etc in which you ask for something politely or formally :
▪ My grandfather’s last request was that there should be no flowers at his funeral.
request for
▪ She refused all requests for an interview.
request that
▪ My request that everyone remain seated was ignored.
request to do something
▪ Davis’s request to do research rather than teach this semester is being considered.
at somebody’s request
because someone makes a request
▪ Cummings eventually resigned at the governor’s request.
on/upon request
when it is requested
▪ Information about our testing procedure is available on request.
make a request
▪ Ray made a formal written request to meet with Douglas.
grant somebody’s request
formal say yes to it
▪ The board has granted your request for funding.
▷ demand /dɪˈmɑːndǁdɪˈmænd/ [countable noun]
a strong request saying very clearly what you want, especially when you are asking for something that someone does not want to give you :
▪ A list of the students’ demands was presented to the dean of the law school.
demand for
▪ The union’s demand for an 8% across-the-board increase is still under consideration.
demand that
▪ A demand from your boss that you babysit his children is clearly unreasonable.
demand to do something
▪ The government has refused the rebels’ demand to release their leader from prison.
make a demand
▪ The kidnappers made several demands in their telephone call to police.
▷ claim /kleɪm/ [countable noun]
a request for something, especially money, that someone thinks they have a legal right to have :
claim for
▪ The local people’s claims for compensation from the chemical factory have so far been ignored.
make a claim
▪ After the fire we made a claim to our insurance company.
▷ petition /pɪˈtɪʃ ə n, pəˈtɪʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
a document signed by many people that is given to a government or other organization asking them to do something that until now they have been unwilling to do :
▪ A petition signed by 1000 hospital doctors will be handed to the Minister of Health at lunchtime today.
▪ Local groups have collected 17,000 votes on a petition to recall the mayor.
▷ application /ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
a letter or form that someone sends when they are asking for something such as a job, official document etc :
▪ Since I left university I’ve sent off nearly fifty job applications.
application for
▪ We’re pleased to announce that your application for membership has been accepted.
▪ The first two banks Williams visited denied her application for a loan.
▷ appeal /əˈpiːl/ [countable noun]
an urgent request for something important such as freedom, money etc, especially in order to help someone in a bad situation :
▪ Dozens of relief agencies have responded to the drought-stricken country’s appeal.
appeal for
▪ The war continues as a fresh UN appeal for a ceasefire has been rejected.
▷ approach /əˈprəʊtʃ/ [countable noun] especially British
an official request for someone that you do not know well to do something, especially when you are not sure if they will do it :
approach from
▪ The footballer said he’d received an approach from another team, and that he was considering the offer.
make an approach
▪ An official approach has been made but the hostages are unlikely to be released.
▷ plea /pliː/ [countable noun]
a strong emotional request for someone to help you or be kind to you :
▪ Ignoring the man’s pleas, the soldier shot him in the head.
plea for
▪ A homeless mother of six made a tearful plea for a home for her family.