ask
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++ask1 /ɑːsk $ æsk/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 1 ASK A QUESTIONquestion 问题 [intransitive, transitive] to speak or write to someone in order to get an answer, information, or a solution 问，询问，打听，提问 ‘What’s your name?’ she asked. “你叫什么名字？”她问道 。 Don’t ask him – he won’t know. 别问他，他不知道。 That kid’s always asking awkward questions. 那孩子总是问一些尴尬的问题。ask who/what/where etc I asked him where he lived. 我问他住在哪里。ask somebody something We’ll have to ask someone the way to the station. 我们得跟人打听一下去车站怎么走。ask somebody if/whether Go and ask Tom whether he’s coming tonight. 去问问汤姆今晚来不来。ask (somebody) about something Visitors usually ask about the history of the castle. 游客常常问起这座城堡的历史。ask around (=ask in a lot of places or ask a lot of people) 到处打听 I’ll ask around, see if I can find you a place to stay. 我去问问，看是否能给你找个地方住。2 ASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO somethingfor help/advice etc 寻求帮助/建议等 [intransitive, transitive] to make a request for help, advice, information etc 要求，请求 If you need anything, you only have to ask. 你需要什么，只要提出来就行。ask somebody to do something Ask John to mail those letters tomorrow. 请约翰明天把那些信寄出去。ask to do something Karen asked to see the doctor. 卡伦请求看医生。ask for Some people find it difficult to ask for help. 有些人觉得很难开口叫别人帮忙。ask somebody for something He repeatedly asked Bailey for the report. 他多次问贝利要报告。ask (somebody) if/whether you can do something Ask your mom if you can come with us. 问问你妈，你是否能跟我们一起去。ask that Was it too much to ask that he be allowed some privacy? 给他一些私人空间，这个要求过分了吗？3 SELLprice 价格 [transitive] to want a particular amount of money for something you are selling 索要〔价格〕 How much is he asking? 他要价多少？ask $50/$1,000 etc for something He’s asking £2,000 for his car. 他的车要价2,000英镑。 They’re asking a fortune for that house. 那幢房子他们漫天要价。4 invite 邀请 [transitive usually + adverb/preposition] to invite someone to your home, to go out with you etc 邀请5 demand 要求 [transitive] if you ask something of someone, you want them to do it for you 要求6 I/you can’t/couldn’t ask for a better something (also I/you can’t/couldn’t ask for more) used to say that you are very happy with what you have or with a situation 我/你不能要求有更好的（某事物）了〔表示对所拥有的或某状况非常满意〕7 be asking for trouble SENSIBLEto do something that is very likely to have a bad effect or result 自找麻烦8 ask yourself something FIND OUTto think carefully and honestly about something 好好想想某事 SPOKEN PHRASES13 be somebody’s for the asking ASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO something informal if something is yours for the asking, you can have it if you want it 某人只要提出要求〔就可以得到它〕14 ask after somebody phrasal verb British English if you ask after someone, you want to know whether they are well, what they are doing etc 问候〔某人〕15 ask for somebody phrasal verb if you ask for someone, you want to speak to them 找〔某人〕说话n GRAMMAR: Patterns with ask• You ask someone something: They asked me some difficult questions at the interview. ✗Don’t say: ask to someone• You ask someone to do something: I asked him to open the window.• You ask someone if or whether something is true: Ask them if they want anything to drink.• When you report what someone asked, use a verb in the past tense: She asked if I wanted to go. ✗Don’t say: She asked if I want to go.n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: to make a request for help, advice, information etcnounsask for helpDon’t be afraid to ask for help.ask for assistance (=help or support)You can call this number to ask for assistance.ask for advice/ask somebody’s adviceIf you are in any doubt, ask for advice.ask for informationI wrote asking for information about language classes.ask for directions (=instructions how to get from one place to another)At the station he asked for directions to the museum.ask for detailsPlease ask for details of the full range of tickets available.ask for somebody’s opinionDad always liked being asked for his opinion.ask for somebody’s supportLabour councillors asked for our support for the proposal.ask for permissionThe two men entered without bothering to ask for permission.ask for an explanationWhen he asked for an explanation, no one could give him an answer. THESAURUSask a question 提问ask to speak or write to someone to get an answer 问，询问，提问〔以寻求答案〕Did you ask about the price? 你问价格了吗？They asked me a lot of questions. 他们问了我很多问题。inquire/enquire /ɪnˈkwaɪə $ -ˈkwaɪr/ formal to ask someone for information about something 询问，打听〔信息等〕I’m writing to inquire about the job that was advertised in yesterday’s ‘Times’. 我写此信询问昨日《泰晤士报》广告中所说那份工作的情况。demand especially written to ask a question in a firm or angry way 〔坚决或愤怒地〕要求‘Why didn’t you call me?’, she demanded. “你为什么不给我打电话？”她质问道。interview to ask someone questions, to find out if they are suitable for a job, or as part of a television or radio interview 面试；采访When they interviewed me for the job, they didn’t mention the salary. 他们给我面试时，没有提到工资。nDavid Letterman has interviewed all the stars.poll to officially ask a lot of people in order to find out their opinion on something 对…进行民意测验[调查]Over 1,000 people were polled for the report. 写这个报告调查了1,000多人。n64% of the people we polled said that they approved of the way the government had handled the crisis.to ask someone about a crime 审讯question/interview to ask someone a lot of questions in order to get information about a crime 盘问；审问He was arrested and questioned by the police. 他被警方逮捕，并接受了审问。Detectives are interviewing the father of the missing girl. 警探正在向失踪女孩的父亲问话。interrogate to ask someone a lot of detailed questions, often in an aggressive way 〔长时间地〕审问，盘问The men were interrogated by the US authorities for over six hours. 这些男子被美国当局审问了六个多小时。cross-examine to ask someone questions in court about the statements they made 盘问，盘诘〔在法庭上对证人就其证词进行诘问〕A second lawyer began to cross-examine the witness. 第二个律师开始诘问证人。somebody is helping the police with their inquiries formal used in news reports when saying that the police are asking someone questions about a crime – especially when they think this person is guilty, but have not yet charged them 某人正在协助警方调查〔用于新闻报道〕He is helping the police with their inquiries in connection with the murder of Diane Jones. 他正在协助警方调查戴安娜·琼斯被杀一案。to ask for something 提要求ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something 要求I’m going to ask for a pay rise. 我打算要求加工资。order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant 〔在餐厅〕点，要〔食物或饮料〕We ordered some more coffee. 我们又点了些咖啡。nHave you ordered yet?demand to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for 〔坚决〕要求They’re demanding immediate payment. 他们坚决要求立即付款。nIf the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.request formal to ask for something 请求，要求The pilot requested permission to land. 飞行员请求允许降落。nI enclose the information you requested.beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it 恳求，乞求He begged me for some money. 他向我讨些钱。I’m not going to plead for forgiveness. 我不会乞求原谅。nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way 不断烦扰，纠缠She keeps nagging me for a new phone. 她不停地对我唠叨要买一部新电话。People were pestering him for his autograph. 人们缠着他索要签名。→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
ask• ``What's your name?'' she asked.• If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.• Todd just went to the fridge and helped himself to a beer, without even asking.• So what's new, it might be asked.• If you ever need any help with anything, you only have to ask.• Another asked about the original Katharine Branson.• A lot of people don't like asking for help.• She might be willing to babysit, but you won't know till you ask her.• He can't pay the rent, but he still doesn't want to ask his parents for money.• I've asked Mary to water the plants for me while I'm away.• I was a little surprised when he asked me if I was married.• Letty's been asking me if she can take the dog out for a walk.• What should I tell people if they ask me why you didn't come to the party?• It will ask my modem to resend the entire block.• All I've ever asked of you is to try to be polite to my mother.• At the end of the presentation you'll all have a chance to ask questions.• The man on the phone wasn't very helpful, so I asked to speak with the manager.• It is bad enough when people are asked to work long hours.• They'll probably just ask you about your education and work experience.• Those with goods stacked outside might leave a note asking you to slide money into the mail slot should you take anything.• For information about the new drug, ask your doctor.ask around• Everybody has a favorite restaurant, so ask around.• I'm not sure where you can find a babysitter - I'll ask around.• Stephen's been asking around about the best places to go in the evenings.ask that• Perhaps we should begin by asking that?• Kobert also asked that a trustee be appointed to take control of the company.• The panel could also ask that Gingrich be fined and that his case be referred to the Justice Department.• It ends exactly at 8.30, as the candidate had asked that it should.• The chief asked that the sessions be open to the public.• Imagine asking that they close the door on me so I can see what it feels like.• Letters have been sent out to all parents asking that they keep their children away from other nurseries while tests are carried out.• So many things you refrain from asking that you'd love to know.ask somebody out• Why don't you ask her out? Or are you too shy?• You asked her out? What did she say?ask2 noun 1 a big ask a situation in a sports competition when someone needs to get a lot of points or do something very difficult in order to win 〔体育比赛中〕难以取胜的局面 We need to win the next three games. It’s a big ask, but I’m confident we can do it. 我们接下来三场比赛都要赢，这很难，但我相信我们能做到。Examples from the Corpus
ask• A questioner in the studio audience asked the Labour MP to defend his party's recent statement.From Longman Business Dictionaryaskask /ɑːskæsk/ verb [transitive]1if someone is asking a particular price for something, that is the price at which they are selling itask something for somethingHow much are they asking for their house?2ask somebody to leave British English to make someone leave their jobSYN dismissThe previous manager was asked to leave, after it was found that he had been misusing company funds.→ See Verb tableOrigin ask Old English ascianask1 verb →n GRAMMAR1 →n COLLOCATIONS1
→THESAURUS1 →SPOKEN PHRASES1ask2 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
→THESAURUS1 →SPOKEN PHRASES1ask2 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
or write Business in speak Corpus to order to someone
ask
ask1 S1 W1 /ɑːsk $ æsk/ 
verb
‘What’s your name?’ she asked.
Don’t ask him – he won’t know.
That kid’s always asking awkward questions.
ask who/what/where etc
I asked him where he lived.
ask somebody something
We’ll have to ask someone the way to the station.
ask somebody if/whether
Go and ask Tom whether he’s coming tonight.
ask (somebody) about something
Visitors usually ask about the history of the castle.
ask around (=ask in a lot of places or ask a lot of people)
I’ll ask around, see if I can find you a place to stay.
2. FOR HELP/ADVICE ETC [intransitive and transitive] to make a request for help, advice, information etc:
If you need anything, you only have to ask.
ask somebody to do something
Ask John to mail those letters tomorrow.
ask to do something
Karen asked to see the doctor.
ask for
Some people find it difficult to ask for help.
ask somebody for something
He repeatedly asked Bailey for the report.
ask (somebody) if/whether you can do something
Ask your mom if you can come with us.
ask that
Was it too much to ask that he be allowed some privacy?
3. PRICE [transitive] to want a particular amount of money for something you are selling:
How much is he asking?
ask $50/$1,000 etc for something
He’s asking £2,000 for his car.
They’re asking a fortune for that house.
4. INVITE [transitive usually + adverb/preposition] to invite someone to your home, to go out with you etc
ask somebody to do something
Let’s ask them to have dinner with us some time.
ask somebody out (=ask someone, especially someone of the opposite sex, to go to a film, a restaurant etc with you)
Jerry’s too scared to ask her out.
ask somebody in (=invite someone into your house, office etc)
Don’t leave them standing on the doorstep – ask them in__
ask somebody over/round (=invite someone to come to your home)
We must ask our new neighbours over for a drink.
5. DEMAND [transitive] if you ask something of someone, you want them to do it for you:
It would be better if he cooperated, but perhaps I’m asking too much.
ask something of somebody
You have no right to ask anything of me.
Expecting the children to do an hour’s homework after school is asking a lot of them.
6. I/you can’t/couldn’t ask for a better something (also I/you can’t/couldn’t ask for more) used to say that you are very happy with what you have or with a situation:
I couldn’t ask for a better boss.
7. be asking for trouble to do something that is very likely to have a bad effect or result:
Saying that to a feminist is just asking for trouble.
8. ask yourself something to think carefully and honestly about something:
You have to ask yourself where your responsibilities really lie.
SPOKEN PHRASES
9. if you ask me used to emphasize your own opinion:
He’s just plain crazy, if you ask me.
10. don’t ask me used to say you do not know the answer to something:
‘Where’s she gone then?’ ‘Don’t ask me__’
11. don’t ask used to say that something is too embarrassing or strange to explain:
‘What was that woman selling?’ ‘Don’t ask.’
12. be asking for it used to say that someone deserves something bad that happens to them:
It’s his own fault he got hit – he was asking for it.
13. be sb’s for the asking informal if something is yours for the asking, you can have it if you want it:
The job was hers for the asking.
■ nouns
▪ask for help Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
▪ask for assistance (=help or support) You can call this number to ask for assistance.
▪ask for advice/ask sb’s advice If you are in any doubt, ask for advice.
▪ask for information I wrote asking for information about language classes.
▪ask for directions (=instructions how to get from one place to another) At the station he asked for directions to the museum.
▪ask for details Please ask for details of the full range of tickets available.
▪ask for sb’s opinion Dad always liked being asked for his opinion.
▪ask for sb’s support Labour councillors asked for our support for the proposal.
▪ask for permission The two men entered without bothering to ask for permission.
▪ask for an explanation When he asked for an explanation, no one could give him an answer.
■ ask a question
▪ask to speak or write to someone to get an answer: Did you ask about the price? | They asked me a lot of questions.
▪inquire/enquire /ɪnˈkwaɪə $ -ˈkwaɪr/ formal to ask someone for information about something: I’m writing to inquire about the job that was advertised in yesterday’s ‘Times’.
▪demand especially written to ask a question in a firm or angry way: ‘Why didn’t you call me?’, she demanded.
▪interview to ask someone questions, to find out if they are suitable for a job, or as part of a television or radio interview: When they interviewed me for the job, they didn’t mention the salary. | David Letterman has interviewed all the stars.
▪poll to officially ask a lot of people in order to find out their opinion on something: Over 1,000 people were polled for the report. | 64% of the people we polled said that they approved of the way the government had handled the crisis.
■ to ask someone about a crime
▪question/interview to ask someone a lot of questions in order to get information about a crime: He was arrested and questioned by the police. | Detectives are interviewing the father of the missing girl.
▪interrogate to ask someone a lot of detailed questions, often in an aggressive way: The men were interrogated by the US authorities for over six hours.
▪cross-examine to ask someone questions in court about the statements they made: A second lawyer began to cross-examine the witness.
▪somebody is helping the police with their inquiries formal used in news reports when saying that the police are asking someone questions about a crime – especially when they think this person is guilty, but have not yet charged them: He is helping the police with their inquiries in connection with the murder of Diane Jones.
■ to ask for something
▪ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something: I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
▪order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant: We ordered some more coffee. | Have you ordered yet?
▪demand to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for: They’re demanding immediate payment. | If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.
▪request formal to ask for something: The pilot requested permission to land. | I enclose the information you requested.
▪beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it: He begged me for some money. | I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
▪nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way: She keeps nagging me for a new phone. | People were pestering him for his autograph.
ask after somebody phrasal verb British English
if you ask after someone, you want to know whether they are well, what they are doing etc:
I spoke to James today. He was asking after you.
ask for somebody phrasal verb
if you ask for someone, you want to speak to them:
There’s someone at the door asking for Dad.
ask2 noun
a big ask a situation in a sports competition when someone needs to get a lot of points or do something very difficult in order to win:
We need to win the next three games. It’s a big ask, but I’m confident we can do it.
| I |
verb Language: Old English
Origin: ascian
1. QUESTION [intransitive and transitive] to speak or write to someone in order to get an answer, information, or a solution:Origin: ascian
ask who/what/where etc
ask somebody something
ask somebody if/whether
ask (somebody) about something
ask around (=ask in a lot of places or ask a lot of people)
2. FOR HELP/ADVICE ETC [intransitive and transitive] to make a request for help, advice, information etc:
ask somebody to do something
ask to do something
ask for
ask somebody for something
ask (somebody) if/whether you can do something
ask that
3. PRICE [transitive] to want a particular amount of money for something you are selling:
ask $50/$1,000 etc for something
4. INVITE [transitive usually + adverb/preposition] to invite someone to your home, to go out with you etc
ask somebody to do something
ask somebody out (=ask someone, especially someone of the opposite sex, to go to a film, a restaurant etc with you)
ask somebody in (=invite someone into your house, office etc)
ask somebody over/round (=invite someone to come to your home)
5. DEMAND [transitive] if you ask something of someone, you want them to do it for you:
ask something of somebody
6. I/you can’t/couldn’t ask for a better something (also I/you can’t/couldn’t ask for more) used to say that you are very happy with what you have or with a situation:
7. be asking for trouble to do something that is very likely to have a bad effect or result:
8. ask yourself something to think carefully and honestly about something:
SPOKEN PHRASES
9. if you ask me used to emphasize your own opinion:
10. don’t ask me used to say you do not know the answer to something:
11. don’t ask used to say that something is too embarrassing or strange to explain:
12. be asking for it used to say that someone deserves something bad that happens to them:
13. be sb’s for the asking informal if something is yours for the asking, you can have it if you want it:
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ask after somebody phrasal verb British English
if you ask after someone, you want to know whether they are well, what they are doing etc:
ask for somebody phrasal verb
if you ask for someone, you want to speak to them:
| II |
nouna big ask a situation in a sports competition when someone needs to get a lot of points or do something very difficult in order to win:
ask to say or write sth in the form of a question, in order to get information 指口头或书面提问、询问 ：◆ 'Where are you going?' she asked. “你去哪？” 她问道。 ◆ She asked the students their names. 她问了学生的姓名。 ◆ Can I ask a question ?我能提个问题吗？ enquire/inquire ( to ask sb for informationrather
指询问、查询 ：◆ I called the station to enquire about train times. 我打电话到车站询问了火车时刻。 demand to ask a question very firmly 指严正地问、质问 ：◆ 'And where have you been?' he demanded angrily. “那你去了哪里？” 他怒气冲冲地质问道。
Patterns
to ask/enquire about/after sb/sthto ask/enquire/demand sth of sbto ask/enquire/demand what/who/how , etc.to ask/enquire politely to ask/enquire/demand angrily
also
◆ Could you possibly help me?请问您能帮帮我吗？ ◆ I wonder if you could give me a hand?不知道您能否帮我一个忙？ ◆ Would you mind opening the door for me?请你帮我开开门好吗？ ◆ I wonder if you'd mind taking a picture of us?不知道您是否愿意给我们拍张照片？ ◆ Could I ask you to keep an eye on my luggage for a moment?请你帮我照看一下行李好吗？
◆ Yes, of course. 行，当然可以。 ◆ I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry.对不起，我要赶时间。 ◆ Sure. ( or NAmE 没问题。
◆ Could I have a glass of water, please?请给我一杯水好吗？ ◆ Do you have any decaffeinated coffee?你们有没有不含咖啡因的咖啡？ ◆ I'd like tea with sugar, please.请来一杯加糖的茶。 ◆ I'll have the pasta with salad, please.请给我来份意大利面配色拉。
◆ Certainly. 当然可以。 ◆ I'm sorry, we don't have any left. 抱歉，已经没有了。 ◆ Yes, of course. Here you are/go.好的，给你。
◆ Would you like to come for a meal on Saturday?你星期六愿意来吃顿饭吗？ ◆ There's a presentation of our new product at the conference on Tuesday. Would you be interested in coming along?星期二的会议上我们会展示新产品。你有兴趣过来看看吗？ ◆ I'm going to the game on Saturday— how about joining me?我星期六要去看比赛，跟我一起去怎么样？ ◆ We're going to Boston— do you want to come with us? ( or NAmE 我们要去波士顿，你想跟我们一起去吗？
◆ That would be very nice, thank you. 那真是太好了，谢谢你。 ◆ I'd love to, thanks very much. 我很乐意，非常感谢。 ◆ I'm sorry. I've already got something on at the weekend.抱歉，我周末已经有安排了。 ◆ I'm sorry. I already have plans on Saturday.很遗憾，我星期六已经有计划了。 ◆ Thank you, I'll check my diary and let you know.( BrE 谢谢，我查一下行事历再告诉你。 ◆ Thank you, I'll check my calendar and let you know.( NAmE 谢谢，我查一下行事历再告诉你。
demand to ask for sth very firmly; to say very firmly that sb should have or do sth 指强烈要求、坚决要求 ：◆ She demanded an immediate explanation. 她强烈要求立即作出解释。 require [ ( to make sb do or have sth, especially because it is necessary according to a law or set of rules or standardsrather
指要求做（某事）、达到（某水平），尤指根据法规或规定 ：◆ All candidates will be required to take a short test. 所有候选人都要做一个小测验。 expect to demand that sb should do, have or be sth, especially because it is their duty or responsibility 指要求、认为应得、指望，尤因义务或责任 ：◆ I expect to be paid promptly for the work. 我要求即时付工钱。 insist to demand that sth happens or that sb agrees to do sth 指坚决要求、坚持 ：◆ I didn't want to go but he insisted. 我并不想去，但他硬要我去。 ◆ We insist on the highest standards at all times.我们始终坚持最高标准。 ask to expect or demand sth 指期望、要求 ：◆ You're asking too much of him. 你对他要求过分了。
demand, expect or ask? 用 demand、expect 还是 ask？
Ask is not as strong asdemand orexpect , both of which can be more like a command.* ask 不如 demand 和 expect 语气强烈，demand 和 expect 更像命令。
Patterns
to demand/require/expect/ask sth of/from sbto demand/require/expect/insist/ask that… to require/expect/ask sb to do sth to demand/require/expect/ask a lot/too much/a great deal to be too much to expect/ask
especially