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Ask vs ask for
Ask means to put a question or to request that someone do something; ask for means to request a thing, and the thing follows for.
Quick rule
Requesting a thing: ask for. Putting a question, or asking a person to do something: ask, no for.
To put a question to someone, or to request that someone do something: ask someone to do it.
To request something: ask for help, ask for a cup of tea. The thing you request follows for; the person you ask goes before it.
Why it trips people up
Ask covers two jobs, questioning and requesting. The small word for marks that you are requesting a thing. Without it, ask is followed by a person, a question or a to-clause.
How each one works
Ask
ask + person + question
She asked me a question about the homework.
ask + if
He asked if I wanted coffee.
ask + person + to + verb
Ask your teacher to explain it again.
Ask for
ask for + thing
He asked for a cup of tea.
ask for help: request it
She never asks for help, even when she needs it.
ask for + something from someone
Can I ask for your phone number?
What comes next
ask plus person plus question
He asked the guide a question.
ask plus if or whether
Ask whether the shop opens on Sundays.
ask plus person plus to plus verb
She asked him to wait outside.
ask for plus thing
I will ask for a discount.
ask plus person plus for plus thing
They asked the manager for a refund.
Almost the same
I asked the waiter.
I put a question to him.
I asked for the waiter.
I requested the waiter to come.
She asked a question.
She questioned.
She asked for a question.
She requested a thing: a question.
In a conversation
- A:
I need a favor, if you have a minute.
- B:
Sure. What is it?
- A:
Could you ask for the room key at the front desk?
- B:
Of course. Should I ask them to send towels too?
- A:
Yes, please. And ask if breakfast is included.
- B:
Got it. I'll be right back.
Common mistakes
Wrong: Ask for me if the store is open.
Right: Ask if the store is open.
Ask if introduces the question. Ask for me would mean "request me".
Wrong: I asked to the manager about the schedule.
Right: I asked the manager about the schedule.
Ask takes the person directly, with no to: ask the manager.
Memory trick
If what follows is a thing you want, ask for. If a question or a person who must act follows, plain ask.
It depends
- Ask with or without for
- Cambridge shows ask permission and ask your advice, and also ask for financial advice. Both patterns are normal with those nouns.
FAQ
Ask vs ask for: what is the difference?
Ask is to question someone or to request that they act. Ask for is to request a thing.
Ask permission or ask for permission?
Both are used. Cambridge shows ask permission as well as ask for with similar nouns such as advice.
Ask help or ask for help?
Ask for help is the usual form. Ask help is not used in standard English.