question
1 ~ (sb) (about sb/sth) to say or write sth in the form of a question, in order to get information:
[Vspeech] 'Where are you going?' she asked. * [VNspeech] '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! * [Vwh-] He asked where I lived. * [VNwh-] I had to ask the teacher what to do next. * I was asked if / whether I could drive.
HELPNOTE You cannot say 'ask to sb': _I_ _a_s_k_e_d_ _t_o_ _m_y_ _f_r_i_e_n_d_ _w_h_a_t_ _h_a_d_ _h_a_p_p_e_n_e_d_.
request
2 to tell sb that you would like them to do sth or that you would like sth to happen:
[VNtoinf] All the students were asked to complete a questionnaire. * Eric asked me to marry him. * [Vwh-] I asked whether they could change my ticket. * [VNwh-] She asked me if I would give her English lessons. * [Vthat] (formal) She asked that she be kept informed of developments. * (BrE also) She asked that she should be kept informed.
3 ~ (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:
[Vtoinf] Did you ask to use the car? * I asked to see the manager. * [Vwh-] I'll ask if it's all right to park here. * [VNwh-] 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). * [VNtoinf] She's asked him to come to the party.
money
6 [VN] ~ sth (for sth) to request a particular amount of money for sth that you are selling:
He's asking ｣2000 for the car. * How much were they asking for their house?
expect / demand
7 ~ sth (of sb) to expect or demand sth:
[VN] I know I'm asking a great deal. * You're asking too much of him. * [VNtoinf] I know it's asking a lot to expect them to win again.
IDIOMS
ask for it (informal) to deserve sth bad that happens to you or that sb does to you:
'You shouldn't have said that to her.' 'Well, she asked for it!'
be asking for trouble
