26984 words

asks

11 definitions ā€¢ 50 examples
1
to put a question to someone, or to request an answer from someone:

Examples:

[ + two objects ] She asked me a question.
She asked a question about Welsh history.
She asked me about Welsh history.
She asked about Welsh history.
I asked the guard the time of the train's departure.
[ + question word ] I've no idea what time the train leaves. Ask the guard whether he knows.
[ + question word ] I asked when the train would leave.
[ + speech ] "What time does the train leave?" I asked.
2
to consider something carefully:

Examples:

She needs to ask herself why nobody seems to like her.
3
to speak or write to someone saying that you want them to do something, to give you something, or to allow you to do something:

Examples:

She asked (her manager) if she could leave early to pick up the kids.
If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask.
ask for You should ask (your accountant) for some financial advice.
ask permission You have to ask permission to leave.
ask to I asked to see my accountant.
ask sb's advice I'd like to ask your advice on a financial matter.
ask sb's opinion Could I ask your opinion about something?
ask a favour Can I ask you a favour?/formal Can I ask a favour of you?
[ + to infinitive ] You should ask your accountant to give you some financial advice.
[ + that ] formal The solicitor asked that her client be allowed to make a phone call.
[ + that ] formal We ask that any faulty goods be returned in their original packaging.
4
to request or invite someone to go somewhere with you or to come to your home:

Examples:

"Are you going to Muriel's party?" "No, I haven't been asked."
[ + to infinitive ] US I've asked David to come to the party.
In fact they've asked us to stay for the whole weekend.
ask someone to something UK I've asked David to the party.
ask someone over Jorge has asked us over for dinner next Friday.
UK Ian's asked us round to dinner next Friday.
UK Ian's asked us for dinner next Friday.
5
to expect or demand something:

Examples:

Greg's asking (= expecting to be paid) Ā£250,000 for his house.
He asks too much of me - I can't always be there to help him.
ask a lot It's asking a lot when your boss wants you to work weekends as well as evenings.
6
to consider something carefully:

Examples:

She needs to ask herself why nobody seems to like her.
You have to ask yourself what it is about this guy that makes him so successful.
We need to start asking ourselves what our priorities really are.
I often ask myself what I'm doing here.
He constantly asked himself whether he could have done anything differently that day.
7
to state a question to someone, or to request something from someone:

Examples:

[ T ] Can I ask you a question?
[ T ] If you are asking me if I was foolish, yes, I was foolish.
[ + question word ] We kept asking why he had done it.
[ + question word ] He asked how much the necklace cost.
[ I ] He asked for more time to repay the loan.
[ T ] You should ask your lawyer for advice.
[ T ] Iā€™d like to ask your advice on a financial matter.
[ + to infinitive ] I asked to see my accountant.
"How much time do we have left?" he asked.
[ I ] Our neighbors are selling their house, but I donā€™t know how much theyā€™re asking for it (= how much they want for it).
8
to invite someone to go somewhere:

Examples:

"Are you going to Michelleā€™s party?" "No, I havenā€™t been asked."
Meganā€™s asked us over for dinner next Friday.
9
to state the price that you want for something that you are selling:

Examples:

ask sth for sth What is he asking for his share of the business?
10
to ask someone to come and see you so that you can give them an interview for a job:

Examples:

Of the 150 candidates, we asked six for interview.
11
to make someone leave their job:

Examples:

be asked to leave They said I had breached confidentiality rules, and I was asked to leave.

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