Top 30 Collocations with Ask: You Need to Know

Collocations are combinations of words that frequently appear together, creating phrases that sound natural to native speakers. Mastering collocations is essential for fluency and comprehension in English. In this blog post, we will explore 30 common collocations with the verb ask, providing definitions, phonetic transcriptions, and examples for each.

By learning these collocations, you will enhance your vocabulary, improve your speaking and writing skills, and sound more like a native speaker. Whether you are a student, a professional, or an English language enthusiast, these collocations will prove invaluable in everyday communication.

Top 30 Collocations with Ask 🙋‍♀️ You Need to Know

The verb “ask” is versatile and used in various contexts, such as requesting information, seeking permission, or offering help. Understanding how to use “ask” with different nouns, prepositions, and adverbs will allow you to convey your message accurately and effectively.

In this post, each collocation is accompanied by a definition and examples to illustrate its use in real-life situations. Let’s dive into the world of “ask” collocations and enrich your English language skills!

#1. Ask a question 📋

Definition: To request information or clarification.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk ə ˈkwɛs.tʃən/

Examples:

• “I need to ask a question about the new project.”
• “Feel free to ask a question if anything is unclear.”

#2. Ask for help 🆘

Definition: To request assistance or support.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr hɛlp/

Examples:

• “Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re struggling with the assignment.”
• “She asked for help with her computer problems.”

#3. Ask permission ✅

Definition: To seek approval or consent.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk pəˈmɪʃ.ən/

Examples:

• “You should always ask permission before using someone else’s work.”
• “He asked permission to leave the meeting early.”

#4. Ask someone out 💌

Definition: To invite someone to a social event or date.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk ˈsʌm.wʌn aʊt/

Examples:

• “He finally gathered the courage to ask her out on a date.”
• “She was thrilled when he asked her out for dinner.”

#5. Ask for advice 🗨️

Definition: To request guidance or suggestions.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ədˈvaɪs/

Examples:

• “She asked for advice on how to handle the situation.”
• “It’s wise to ask for advice before making major decisions.”

#6. Ask for clarification 🔍

Definition: To request an explanation to make something clearer.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ˌklær.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

Examples:

• “If you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.”
• “He asked for clarification on the new policy.”

#7. Ask about something 🔎

Definition: To inquire or seek information regarding a specific topic.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk əˈbaʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Examples:

• “She asked about the details of the upcoming event.”
• “He asked about the company’s future plans.”

#8. Ask for directions 🗺️

Definition: To request guidance on how to get to a place.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr dɪˈrɛk.ʃənz/

Examples:

• “When you’re lost, don’t be afraid to ask for directions.”
• “They asked for directions to the nearest gas station.”

#9. Ask after someone 🤔

Definition: To inquire about someone’s well-being or health.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk ˈæftər ˈsʌm.wʌn/

Examples:

• “She asked after you when she called me yesterday.”
• “He always asks after his old friends during conversations.”

#10. Ask for a raise 💸

Definition: To request an increase in salary.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ə reɪz/

Examples:

• “It’s important to prepare well when you ask for a raise.”
• “He decided to ask for a raise after a year of hard work.”

#11. Ask for a favor 🙏

Definition: To request a kind act or assistance from someone.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ə ˈfeɪ.vər/

Examples:

• “Can I ask you for a favor? I need some help with my project.”
• “She asked for a favor to borrow her colleague’s laptop.”

#12. Ask for permission to do something 📜

Definition: To seek consent before performing an action.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr pəˈmɪʃ.ən tə duː ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Examples:

• “You need to ask for permission to use the conference room.”
• “He asked for permission to take an extra day off.”

#13. Ask a favor of someone 👐

Definition: To request that someone do something for you.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk ə ˈfeɪ.vər əv ˈsʌm.wʌn/

Examples:

• “She asked a favor of her friend to help with the wedding preparations.”
• “I don’t want to ask a favor of you, but I’m in a tight spot.”

#14. Ask someone to do something 💬

Definition: To request someone to perform a specific action.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk ˈsʌm.wʌn tə duː ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Examples:

• “He asked her to finish the report by Friday.”
• “They asked him to speak at the conference.”

#15. Ask for an opinion 🗣️

Definition: To request someone’s thoughts or feelings about something.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ən əˈpɪn.jən/

Examples:

• “I’d like to ask for an opinion on this new design.”
• “She asked for an opinion before making her final decision.”

#16. Ask a lot of questions ❓

Definition: To inquire about many things in a single conversation.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk ə lɒt əv ˈkwɛs.tʃənz/

Examples:

• “Children often ask a lot of questions as they learn about the world.”
• “He asked a lot of questions during the interview.”

#17. Ask someone for their opinion 🗨️

Definition: To request someone’s viewpoint on a matter.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk ˈsʌm.wʌn fɔːr ðɛər əˈpɪn.jən/

Examples:

• “I asked my colleague for their opinion on the new proposal.”
• “It’s useful to ask someone for their opinion before making a choice.”

#18. Ask for clarification on something 🔎

Definition: To request further explanation about a particular issue.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ˌklær.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən ɒn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Examples:

• “She asked for clarification on the new guidelines provided.”
• “He needed to ask for clarification on the technical terms used.”

#19. Ask for a recommendation 🌟

Definition: To request a suggestion or endorsement for something.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ə ˌrɛkəˈmɛn.deɪ.ʃən/

Examples:

• “Can you ask for a recommendation for a good book to read?”
• “He asked for a recommendation on a reliable contractor.”

#20. Ask for more information 📚

Definition: To request additional details or data.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr mɔːr ˌɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən/

Examples:

• “Please ask for more information if the instructions are unclear.”
• “She asked for more information before committing to the purchase.”

#21. Ask for feedback 📝

Definition: To request comments or evaluations on something.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ˈfiːdbæk/

Examples:

• “He asked for feedback on his presentation to improve for next time.”
• “You should ask for feedback from your peers after the project.”

#22. Ask for details 📋

Definition: To request specific information about something.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr dɪˈteɪlz/

Examples:

• “She asked for details about the upcoming event.”
• “He needs to ask for details to complete his report.”

#23. Ask for help with something 🛠️

Definition: To request assistance on a particular task.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr hɛlp wɪð ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Examples:

• “I asked for help with organizing the files.”
• “She asked for help with the presentation slides.”

#24. Ask for an extension ⏳

Definition: To request additional time to complete a task.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ən ɪksˈtɛn.ʃən/

Examples:

• “He asked for an extension on the project deadline.”
• “She needs to ask for an extension to finish her report.”

#25. Ask someone for their advice 🗨️

Definition: To request guidance from someone.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk ˈsʌm.wʌn fɔːr ðɛər ədˈvaɪs/

Examples:

• “I asked him for his advice on starting a new business.”
• “She asked her mentor for their advice on career development.”

#26. Ask for an update 🔄

Definition: To request the latest information or progress on something.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ən ˈʌp.deɪt/

Examples:

• “Can you ask for an update on the project status?”
• “He asked for an update about the meeting agenda.”

#27. Ask someone to explain 🗣️

Definition: To request that someone provide an explanation.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk ˈsʌm.wʌn tə ɪksˈpleɪn/

Examples:

• “She asked him to explain the reason for the delay.”
• “He needed to ask his supervisor to explain the new procedure.”

#28. Ask for assistance 🤝

Definition: To request help or support.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr əˈsɪs.təns/

Examples:

• “You can ask for assistance if you have any issues with the software.”
• “He asked for assistance in understanding the report.”

#29. Ask for permission to use something 📄

Definition: To request approval before utilizing a particular item.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr pəˈmɪʃ.ən tə juːz ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Examples:

• “You need to ask for permission to use the company’s resources.”
• “She asked for permission to use the conference room for the meeting.”

#30. Ask for a quote 💬

Definition: To request an estimate or price for a service or product.

Phonetic Transcription: /æsk fɔːr ə kwəʊt/

Examples:

• “Before deciding, ask for a quote from the contractor.”
• “He asked for a quote to compare prices for the service.”

Collocations With Ask Table

Most Common Collocations With Ask Worksheet

Conclusion

Understanding and using collocations with “ask” can significantly enhance your communication skills. These phrases help you sound more natural and fluent in English, whether you’re speaking, writing, or listening. By incorporating these collocations into your daily conversations, you’ll be able to express yourself more clearly and effectively. Remember, practice makes perfect, so try to use these collocations regularly to become more comfortable with them.

From asking for directions to requesting a raise, mastering these phrases will allow you to navigate various situations with ease. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek help when needed—it’s an essential part of learning and growing in any language.

As you continue to expand your vocabulary and understanding of collocations, you’ll find yourself becoming more confident in your English abilities. Keep exploring and practicing, and soon you’ll find yourself effortlessly using these and many more collocations in your conversations.

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