ask

Everyday

1. To ask is to say a question so that you get an answer. tree →
2. To ask is to say that you want something: ask for help. tree →
3. To ask someone to do something is to tell them politely that you want it done. tree →
4. To ask someone to a party is to invite them. tree →
5. To ask a price is to say how much you want for something: they ask 5 dollars for it. tree →
6. (casual, UK, Australia) «A big ask» is something hard to expect: winning every game is a big ask. tree →
7. (casual) «Don't ask» means the story is too bad or long to tell; «you asked for it» means it is your own fault. tree →
8. (formal) The exam voice says «enquire», «request», «determine», «state» where a child would say «ask» or «find». tree →

In the lessons

what a question is really looking for («The question asks how many are left»); in class «ask the teacher», «ask a question», «put up your hand to ask»; in safety «ask a grown-up first», «ask for help»; in stories «asks for 3 more» is a request; phrases: ask for, ask around, ask out (ask on a date); in casual talk «don't ask», «you asked for it», «a big ask», «I'm only asking»; in the exam voice «Candidates are required to determine …», «enquire», «request»

Examples

• «How many more … than» and «how many fewer … than» both ask for the difference: subtract. tree →
• The question asks how many sweets are left. tree →
• Sara asks her mum for 3 more beads. tree →
• Can I ask you a question? tree →
• If you get lost, ask a police officer for help. tree →
• Mum asked me to tidy my room. tree →
• Ben asked six friends to his birthday party. tree →
• Always ask before you borrow something. tree →
• «How was the trip?» «Don't ask. The car broke down twice.» tree →
• You poked the cat, so you asked for it. tree →
• 20 laps before lunch? That's a big ask. tree →
• Candidates are requested to state the number of beads in Sara's possession subsequent to her mother's provision of 3 further beads. tree →
• "Who's there?" asked the old lady. tree →

Note

Look at what the question asks, not at single words: «more» can ask for a difference. Trap: in a story «asks for 3 more» is a request, not yet a change; only «gets 3 more» changes the count. «Don't ask» is not a question to answer; it means the speaker had a bad time. Past form «asked». «ask someone something» and «ask for something». «enquire» and «request» are the formal words; «determine» and «state» in an exam mean «work out» and «write the answer».

In Jewish tradition

what a question is really looking for («The question asks how many are left»); in class «ask the teacher», «ask a question», «put up your hand to ask»; in safety «ask a grown-up first», «ask for help»; in stories «asks for 3 more» is a request; phrases: ask for, ask around, ask out (ask on a date); in casual talk «don't ask», «you asked for it», «a big ask», «I'm only asking»; in the exam voice «Candidates are required to determine …», «enquire», «request»

Examples

• And the man asked him, saying: 'What seekest thou?' (Torah GEN.37.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I asked her, and said: Whose daughter art thou? (Torah GEN.24.47, JPS 1917) tree →
• My lord asked his servants, saying: Have ye a father, or a brother? (Torah GEN.44.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• And when the king asked the woman, she told him. (Prophets 2KI.8.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or who shall turn aside to ask of thy welfare? (Prophets JER.15.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. (Prophets 1KI.3.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Look at what the question asks, not at single words: «more» can ask for a difference. Trap: in a story «asks for 3 more» is a request, not yet a change; only «gets 3 more» changes the count. «Don't ask» is not a question to answer; it means the speaker had a bad time. Past form «asked». «ask someone something» and «ask for something». «enquire» and «request» are the formal words; «determine» and «state» in an exam mean «work out» and «write the answer».