/ ɑːsk; NAmE æsk/ verb , noun
■ verb
QUESTION
1.
ask (sb) (about sb/sth) to say or write sth in the form of a question, in order to get information :
[ v speech ]
'Where are you going?' she asked.
[ vn speech ]
'Are you sure?' he asked her.
[ v ]
He asked about her family.
How old are you—if you don't mind me / my asking ?
[ vn ]
The interviewer asked me about my future plans.
Can I ask a question ?
Did you ask the price?
[ vnn ]
She asked the students their names.
I often get asked that!
[ v wh- ]
He asked where I lived.
[ vn wh- ]
I had to ask the teacher what to do next.
I was asked if / whether I could drive.
HELP NOTE : You cannot say 'ask to sb': I asked to my friend what had happened.
REQUEST
2.
to tell sb that you would like them to do sth or that you would like sth to happen :
[ vn to inf ]
All the students were asked to complete a questionnaire.
Eric asked me to marry him.
[ v wh- ]
I asked whether they could change my ticket.
[ vn wh- ]
She asked me if I would give her English lessons.
[ v that ] ( formal )
She asked that she be kept informed of developments.
( BrE also)
She asked that she should be kept informed.
3.
ask (sb) (for sth) to say that you would like sb to give you sth :
[ v ]
to ask for a job / a drink / an explanation
I am writing to ask for some information about courses.
[ vn ]
Why don't you ask his advice?
Can I ask a favour of you?
[ vnn ]
Why don't you ask him for his advice?
Can I ask you a favour?
PERMISSION
4.
to request permission to do sth :
[ v to inf ]
Did you ask to use the car?
I asked to see the manager.
[ v wh- ]
I'll ask if it's all right to park here.
[ vn wh- ]
She asked her boss whether she could have the day off.
INVITE
5.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to invite sb :
[ vn ]
They've asked me to dinner.
I didn't ask them in (= to come into the house) .
We must ask the neighbours round (= to our house) .
[ vn to inf ]
She's asked him to come to the party.
MONEY
6.
[ vn ] ask sth (for sth) to request a particular amount of money for sth that you are selling :
He's asking £2 000 for the car.
EXPECT / DEMAND
7.
ask sth (of sb) to expect or demand sth :
[ vn ]
I know I'm asking a great deal.
You're asking too much of him.
[ vn to inf ]
I know it's asking a lot to expect them to win again.
➡ note at demand
•
IDIOMS
- ask for it
- be asking for trouble | be asking for it
- don't ask
- don't ask me
- for the asking
- I ask you
- if you ask me
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- ask after sb
- ask around
- ask sb back
- ask for sb/sth
- ask sb out
■ noun
•
IDIOMS
- a big ask
••
SYNONYMS
ask
enquire ♦ demand ♦ query
All these words mean to say or write sth in the form of a question, in order to get information.
ask
to say or write sth in the form of a question, in order to get information:
'Where are you going?' she asked.
•
She asked the students their names.
•
Can I ask a question ?
enquire / inquire
( rather formal ) to ask sb for information:
I called the station to enquire about train times.
demand
to ask a question very firmly:
'And where have you been?' he demanded angrily.
query
( formal ) to ask a question:
'Why ever not?' she queried.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to ask / enquire about / after sb/sth
to ask / enquire / demand sth of sb
to ask / enquire / demand / query what / who / how , etc.
to ask / enquire / query politely
to ask / enquire / demand angrily
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English āscian , āhsian , āxian , of West Germanic origin.