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ask(verb)/ɑːsk/ /æsk/Verb Forms- to say or write something in the form of a question, in order to get information
- How old are you—if you don’t mind me/my asking?
- He asked about her family.
- Can I ask a question?
- Did you ask the price?
- You do what I tell you to, no questions asked.
- There are three important questions to ask.
- frequently asked questions
- ‘Where are you going?’ she asked.
- ‘Are you sure?’ he asked her.
- She asked the students their names.
- I often get asked that!
- I had to ask myself some very difficult questions.
- I'd like to ask you a few questions.
- Why does everyone keep asking me that?
- The interviewer asked me about my future plans.
- When specifically asked about the report, she indicated she had not read it.
- He asked where I lived.
- I had to ask the teacher what to do next.
- I was asked if/whether I could drive.
Extra Examples- I wondered how old she was but I didn't dare ask.
- ‘Do you still want to go out tonight?’ she asked hopefully.
- ‘How do you feel?’ she asked softly.
- ‘Oh, Sue went too, did she?’ I asked innocently.
- ‘Will he be all right?’ Sabrina asked anxiously.
- I wanted to ask him a question.
- May I ask what you mean by that?
- Voters can legitimately ask whose interests are being served by the new legislation.
- She longed to ask Mary if she knew what was wrong.
- to tell somebody that you would like them to do something or that you would like something to happen
- Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.
- Parents with young children are asked to attend this meeting.
- They were politely asked to leave the shop.
- Eric asked me to marry him.
- All the students were asked to complete a questionnaire.
- I asked whether they could change my ticket.
- She asked me if I would give her English lessons.
- She asked that she be kept informed of developments.
- She asked that she should be kept informed.
- If you ask her nicely, she'll give you a hand.
- to say that you would like somebody to give you something
- Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- I am writing to ask for some information about courses.
- to ask for a job/a drink/an explanation
- Did your friend ask for permission to use the image?
- Why don't you ask his advice?
- Why don't you ask him for his advice?
- Can I ask a favour of you?
- Can I ask you a favour?
Extra Examples- I'm not asking for money.
- I went up to the bar and asked for a beer.
- If you want anything, just ask.
- Why don't you ask your teacher for some of her thoughts on the matter?
- to request permission to do something
- I immediately asked to speak to a supervisor.
- I asked to see the manager.
- Did you ask to use the car?
- I'll ask if it's all right to park here.
- She asked her boss whether she could have the day off.
- to invite somebody
- They've asked me to dinner.
- Thank you so much for asking me.
- I didn't ask them in (= to come into the house).
- We must ask the neighbours round (= to our house).
- She's asked him to come to the party.
- to request a particular amount of money for something that you are selling
- He's asking £2 000 for the car.
- How much were they asking for their house?
- to expect or demand something
- I know I'm asking a great deal.
- You're asking too much of him.
- I know it's asking a lot to expect them to win again.
- to deserve something bad that happens to you or that somebody does to you
- ‘You shouldn’t have said that to her.’ ‘Well, she asked for it!’
- to behave in a way that is very likely to result in trouble
- He was asking for trouble when he insulted their country.
- if you say don’t ask to somebody, you mean that you do not want to reply to their question, because it would be difficult to explain, embarrassing, etc.
- ‘And what did he do then?’ ‘Don’t ask!’
- if you say don’t ask me, you mean that you do not know the answer to a question and are annoyed you have been asked
- ‘What will the meeting be about?’ ‘Don’t ask me.’
- if you can have something for the asking, it is very easy for you to get it if you ask for it
- The job is yours for the asking.
- if you say I ask you, you are expressing shock, anger or a strong feeling of dislike about something/somebody
- He told me I had to work late on Friday night. I ask you!
- in my personal opinion
- Their marriage was a mistake, if you ask me.
Word Origin- Old English āscian, āhsian, āxian, of West Germanic origin.
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