Ask for permission?

Question

Is it okay to use both expressions interchangeably? I am not asking for permission.I am not asking permission

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

teacherJapanIs it okay to use both expressions interchangeably?

"Both" is redundant with "interchangeably". "Is it okay to use these two expressions interchangeably?" This is a fine point that some people will not even see.

"Ask" is a very flexible and idiomatic old word. You can ask permission, directions, forgiveness, nothing, a lot, etc. This is the plain way of putting it with a plain "permission", and it is possible with any abstract thing. Some abstracts are fine with "for", and others are uncomfortable with it. I'm afraid it's a matter of ear.

You can also often use "for" with "permission", and you kind of need "for" in sentences like "We asked for her permission to peel the carrots." If the thing is concrete, of course, you always need "for": "We asked her for some carrots."

Ask for permission?

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