Ask vs. Ask For

Ask is used without for to ask somebody to tell something.

  • Don’t ask him his age.

Ask for is used to ask somebody to give something.

  • Don’t ask me for money.

Ask can be followed by an object.

  • Ask him.

When ask is followed by two objects, the indirect object (the person) usually comes first.

  • Ask him his name. (NOT Ask his name to him.)
Infinitive structures after ask

Ask can be followed by an infinitive.

  • I asked to leave. (= I asked permission to leave.)

Ask + object + infinitive is also possible.

  • I asked him to leave. (= I wanted him to leave.)

Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I am Manjusha. This is my blog where I give English grammar lessons and worksheets.

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