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Reegis Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
ask / ask for / ask about something
Hello,
could you please explain what is the difference between the following phrases:
1) To ask something
2) To ask for something
3) To ask about something
As far as I know, all of them mean that somebody would like to receive something, either some information or some object, but I can't always tell the difference.
Especially, please refer to these three sentences:
1) He is a real autocrat, he never asks our opinion.
2) He is a real autocrat, he never asks for our opinion.
3) He is a real autocrat, he never asks about our opinion.
could you please explain what is the difference between the following phrases:
1) To ask something
2) To ask for something
3) To ask about something
As far as I know, all of them mean that somebody would like to receive something, either some information or some object, but I can't always tell the difference.
Especially, please refer to these three sentences:
1) He is a real autocrat, he never asks our opinion.
2) He is a real autocrat, he never asks for our opinion.
3) He is a real autocrat, he never asks about our opinion.
Top answer
3) He is a real autocrat, he never asks about our opinion. These are somewhat idiomatic (using 'opinion', 'feelings', 'druthers', etc). They are essentially synonymous.
- 3) He is a real autocrat, he never asks about our opinion.
- These are somewhat idiomatic (using 'opinion', 'feelings', 'druthers', etc).
- They are essentially synonymous.
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4 Answers
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Reegis1) To ask something= ask a question
Reegis2) To ask for something= request an item or an action
Reegis3) To ask about something= to request information
Reegis1) He is a real autocrat, he never asks our opinion.2) He is a real autocrat, he never asks for our
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So they were confusing for me probably because they might be interchangeable in some cases.
Let me ask about two more words:
1a) Can I ask your advice?
1b) Can I ask for your advice?
1c) Can I ask about your advice?
2a) Can I ask your help?
2b) Can I ask for your help?
2c) Can I ask about your help? (might this be interpreted as I would like to hear about
Let me ask about two more words:
1a) Can I ask your advice?
1b) Can I ask for your advice?
1c) Can I ask about your advice?
2a) Can I ask your help?
2b) Can I ask for your help?
2c) Can I ask about your help? (might this be interpreted as I would like to hear about
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ReegisAre they also idiomaticI am not sure that 'idiomatic' is true. I just know that sometimes they are synonymous and other times not. Above, your 2c is the odd man out, for the reason you have given.
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