"Ask" is to inquire or request informally; "request" is to ask formally or officially.
To inquire about something or seek something. Neutral or informal tone, everyday use.
I asked my boss for a day off next Friday.
Le pedi a mi jefe un dia libre el viernes.
She asked me where I was born.
Ella me pregunto donde habia nacido.
Can I ask you something personal?
¿Puedo preguntarte algo personal?
To ask formally, in professional, official, or weighty contexts.
The committee requested additional documents before the vote.
El comite solicito documentos adicionales antes de la votacion.
Passengers are requested to remain seated during takeoff.
Se les solicita a los pasajeros permanecer sentados durante el despegue.
She submitted a formal request for a salary review.
Ella presento una solicitud formal de revision salarial.
Common mistake
Using "request" in informal conversations where "ask" is natural: "I requested my friend to help me" sounds stiff. "I asked my friend for help" is correct. Also the reverse: in formal emails or official documents, "ask" can sound too casual: "We request your confirmation" is better than "We ask your confirmation".
Trick to remember it
Register rule: if you would say it in a conversation with a friend, use "ask". If you would write it in a formal email to a client or a legal document, use "request". Another indicator: if there is a formal form or process involved, it is "request".
Quick rule
Ask = ask / inquire (informal, everyday). Request = formally solicit (official, professional).
Did you know?
"Request" as a noun is common in music: "Can I take a request?" — DJs and live musicians accept "requests" from the audience. "By request" and "on request" are fixed phrases in that context. Interestingly, this musical usage is informal despite the formal word.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
All guests are _____ to check out by 11am on their departure day.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Can you _____ the waiter for the check? I think we are ready to leave.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Ask = ask / inquire (informal, everyday). Request = formally solicit (official, professional).
Using "request" in informal conversations where "ask" is natural: "I requested my friend to help me" sounds stiff. "I asked my friend for help" is correct. Also the reverse: in formal emails or official documents, "ask" can sound too casual: "We request your confirmation" is better than "We ask your confirmation".
Register rule: if you would say it in a conversation with a friend, use "ask". If you would write it in a formal email to a client or a legal document, use "request". Another indicator: if there is a formal form or process involved, it is "request".
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy