The next word in our vocabulary boost series is ASK. ASK is a high frequency verb that can be used as a synonym of question, enquire or order. There are numerous collocations and phrasal verbs that are formed using ASK.
As recommended in our START method (HERE), you should always learn vocabulary as a short phrase and relate new words to synonyms and use them. Click (HERE) and (HERE) for advice on how to learn more vocabulary and HERE for an example of a great strategy to learn new words.
BE CAREFUL with ask. We do not use ask to someone. It is incorrect to say “I ask to my friend”.
Collocations:
To learn new collocations and word patterns you should create phrases using them and also do exercises (HERE)
Ask a question
Ask a favour
Ask about something
Ask someone something
Ask for something
Ask for directions
Ask to be excused
Ask for permission
Ask permission to do something
Ask whether or not
Ask after someone
Phrasal verbs:
The learning of phrasal verbs is best done using this method (HERE)
Ask out – invite on a date
Are you going to ask Sally out or what?
Ask for – order
In the restaurant, I asked for an apple juice
Ask after – enquire about the wellbeing of someone
Sam called and he was asking after your brother
Ask (a)round – ask if someone wants to come to your house
I asked my new girlfriend round to watch a movie 😉
Ask in – invite inside
Tom knocked on the door so I asked him in
Ask over – invite to one´s house
As his parents were on holiday, he asked his friends over for a barbeque
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To learn how to use ASK you need to practice and put these words and collocations into your own words to be able to remember them.
