Imagine you’re meeting someone for the first time. You introduce yourself and then ask, “What’s your name?” Simple, isn’t it? The word ‘ask’ is such an integral part of our daily conversations, yet it can be so diverse and expressive when paired with different words. This magical pairing is known as ‘collocation,’ and when you master these collocations, you can ask for more than just names, you can ask for advice, for time, or for forgiveness, and so much more. Isn’t it exciting to enhance your English language skills with just one word? Let’s explore!
Here are 31 popular English Collocations with Ask. Mastering these will make your English sound more natural and fluent.
1. Ask a question: to seek information.
Example: Don’t hesitate to ask a question if you don’t understand.
2. Ask for help: to request assistance.
Example: If you’re lost, ask for help.
3. Ask for advice: to seek guidance or suggestions.
Example: I often ask my mentor for advice.
4. Ask about: to inquire regarding a particular subject or topic.
Example: He asked about your plans for the weekend.
5. Ask around: to ask many people the same question.
Example: If you’re looking for a job, start asking around.
6. Ask someone out: to invite someone on a date.
Example: He finally gathered the courage to ask her out.
7. Ask for forgiveness: to seek pardon for a wrongdoing.
Example: It takes courage to ask for forgiveness.
8. Ask in: to invite someone inside a building or room.
Example: She asked the guests in.
9. Ask over: to invite someone to your home.
Example: We asked our neighbors over for dinner.
10. Ask for permission: to seek consent for doing something.
Example: He asked for permission before borrowing the book.
11. Ask for a raise: to request an increase in salary.
Example: After a year of hard work, she asked for a raise.
12. Ask oneself: to consider, wonder, or make one think.
Example: Sometimes, you need to ask yourself what truly makes you happy.
13. Ask for trouble: to behave in a way that is likely to cause problems.
Example: Skipping homework is just asking for trouble.
14. Ask the way: to ask for directions.
Example: He stopped to ask the way to the museum.
15. Ask to do: to request to carry out an action.
Example: I asked to see the manager.
16. Ask for time: to request a period for consideration or thought.
Example: She asked for more time to make the decision.
17. Ask a favor: to request for an act of assistance.
Example: Could I ask a favor of you?
18. Ask of: to request something from someone.
Example: What is being asked of us in this situation?
19. Ask for directions: to inquire about the way to go somewhere.
Example: I had to ask for directions to the library.
20. Ask for an explanation: to seek clarification or further information.
Example: The teacher asked for an explanation about his late submission.
21. Ask after someone: to inquire about someone’s well-being.
Example: She asked after your health.
22. Ask for a refund: to request the return of money.
Example: The product was defective, so I asked for a refund.
23. Ask the price: to inquire about the cost of something.
Example: Don’t forget to ask the price before buying.
24. Ask for a quote: to request a stated price for a particular job.
Example: We asked for a quote for the home renovation.
25. Ask for a receipt: to request a written acknowledgment of a transaction.
Example: He asked for a receipt after the purchase.
26. Ask for a loan: to request for borrowed money.
Example: Given his financial difficulties, he had to ask for a loan.
27. Ask a riddle: to pose a puzzling question for fun or as a challenge.
Example: My grandfather loved to ask riddles.
28. Ask for silence: to request quietness.
Example: The speaker asked for silence.
29. Ask the impossible: to make unrealistic or unreasonable requests.
Example: You’re asking the impossible if you want the project done by tomorrow.
30. Ask for information: to seek data or facts.
Example: He called the customer service to ask for information.
31. Ask permission: to request approval to do something.
Example: Remember to ask permission before taking someone’s belongings.
There you have it, 31 English Collocations with Ask at your disposal. Incorporate these into your daily English conversations and see the difference it makes. Just as ‘asking’ is a way to learn, these collocations will surely help you ‘ask’ your way into becoming a more fluent English speaker.
