ask
gb/ˈæsk/ us/ˈæsk/
A1
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Request information
To say something to get an answer or information from someone.
Usage pattern:
to ask [someone] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ask' with 'question' as a verb; 'question' can mean to doubt or challenge, not just request information.
Synonyms
inquire (More formal and often used in official or written contexts.)
Antonyms
answer (To provide the information requested, opposite of asking.)
Collocations
ask a question
|ask for details
|ask about
|ask directly
|ask politely
Themes
communication
|daily life
|education
Examples
- She asked the teacher about the homework.
- Can I ask you where the nearest station is?
- He asked me what time the meeting starts.
- We asked several people for directions.
- They asked if we were enjoying our meal.
Learner examples
- I asked my friend his name.
- She asked the man for help.
- We asked the teacher a question.
- He asked me where I live.
Verb
A1
action
2
Request something
To say that you want someone to give you something or do something for you.
Usage pattern:
to ask [someone] for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'for' when requesting an object, saying 'ask something' instead of 'ask for something'.
Synonyms
request (Slightly more formal and polite in tone.)
Antonyms
offer (To present something voluntarily, without being asked.)
Collocations
ask for help
|ask for money
|ask for permission
|ask a favor
|ask for advice
Themes
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I asked my boss for a day off.
- She asked him for a glass of water.
- They asked the waiter for the bill.
- He asked his parents for advice on buying a car.
- We asked the neighbors for help moving furniture.
Learner examples
- I asked my mom for food.
- He asked the teacher for help.
- She asked her friend for a pen.
- We asked the man for directions.
Verb
A2
action
3
Invite someone
To tell someone you want them to come or join an activity.
Usage pattern:
to ask [someone] to [do something]
Synonyms
invite (Direct synonym; 'invite' is often used in more formal situations.)
Antonyms
exclude (To deliberately not include someone in an event or activity.)
Collocations
ask to dinner
|ask out on a date
|ask to join
|ask over
Themes
social
|daily life
|communication
|relationships
Examples
- He asked her to join them for lunch.
- They asked us to their wedding.
- She asked him out on a date.
- We asked some friends over for drinks.
Learner examples
- I asked my friend to play football.
- She asked him to come to her party.
- We asked them to eat dinner with us.
- He asked her out.
Noun
B2
quantity
4
Requested price or amount
The amount of money someone wants for something they are selling.
Synonyms
price (General term; 'ask' is more specific in sales or negotiation contexts.)
Antonyms
offer (In negotiation, the amount proposed by the buyer rather than the seller.)
Collocations
high ask
|low ask
|final ask
Themes
business
|commerce
|finance
Examples
- The seller's ask was too high for us.
- They lowered their ask after the inspection report.
- Her ask for the painting was $5000.
Learner examples
- The ask was too high.
- Their ask was $20.
- He made an ask of $50.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ask
IPA
GB/ˈæsk/
US/ˈæsk/
Syllables & stress
ask (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (ask)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: ask
- 3rd Person Singular: asks
- Present Participle: asking
- Past: asked
Word family
Expressions
ask around
1/ˈæsk ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
Request info from several people
To talk to different people to get information or help.
Examples
- I don't know the answer, but I'll ask around and find out.
- She asked around to see if anyone had seen her cat.
ask out
1/ˈæsk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Invite on a date
To invite someone to go somewhere with you in a romantic way.
Examples
- He finally asked her out after weeks of hesitation.
- She was nervous when he asked her out.
don't ask
1/dˈoʊnt ˈæsk/
fixed phrase
informal
Refuse to give details when unpleasant/complicated
Used to say that you don't want to explain something because it is bad, strange, or complicated.
Examples
- 'How was your trip?' — 'Don't ask.'
- Don't ask how much I spent on this.
if you ask me
1/ˈɪf jˈu ˈæsk mˈi/
fixed phrase
informal
Give personal opinion unasked
Used before saying your personal opinion about something, especially when it wasn't directly requested.
Examples
- If you ask me, that movie was way too long.
- That was a bad decision, if you ask me.
ask for trouble
1/ˈæsk fɚ tɹˈʌbəl/
idiom
informal
Do something likely to cause problems
To do something that will probably cause problems for you.
Examples
- Not wearing a helmet is just asking for trouble.
- If you keep lying to her, you're asking for trouble.
ask for trouble
2/ˈæsk fɚ tɹˈʌbəl/
idiom
Do something likely to cause trouble
To do something that will probably cause problems or danger for yourself.
Examples
- Walking alone at night in that area is just asking for trouble.
- If you don't back up your files, you're asking for trouble.