Ask can mean seeking information or making a request.

The idea

Say ask a question, ask for help, or ask someone to wait. Use about for the topic of a question: ask about the lesson.

Examples

  • Can I ask a question?
  • She asks her teacher about the lesson.
  • I asked him for directions.
  • Please ask for help if you need it.
  • They asked us to wait.
  • He is asking where the station is.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

When requesting a thing, use for: ask for help. A question itself follows ask directly: ask a question.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the direct object after ask. Can I ask a ___? (question / for question)

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    question

    Question can follow ask directly.

  2. Choose the preposition before the requested help. Please ask ___ help. (for / at)

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    for

    For introduces the help being requested.

  3. Choose the infinitive for the action requested of them. We asked them ___ here. (to wait / waiting)

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    to wait

    To wait describes the action requested of them.

Use it today

Write one question to ask and one polite request for help.