to ask

to ask after' someone means to ask for information about how they are and what they are doing.

• Sue was asking after you. I told her you were fine.
  
• He asked after my mother. He wanted to know how she was doing.
  

'to ask around' means to ask several people for help or information.

• I asked around to see if anyone knew someone who could rent me a room.
  
• When I needed to buy a new car, I asked around and someone offered me this one.
  

'to ask for' means to say that you want something.

• I asked for the chicken but you have brought me the beef.
  
• I must remember to ask for a receipt so that I can get reimbursed.
  

'to ask for' can also mean to do something which is likely to lead to trouble or problems.

• Walking around the streets alone at night was asking for trouble.
  
• If you go to that part of town, you're asking for trouble. It's very dangerous there.
  

'to ask for someone' means to ask to speak to them.

• He asked for Carol but there is no one working here called Carol.
  
• If you need anything, ask for Henry. He'll be able to help you.
  

'to ask someone in' means to invite them into the room or your home.

• If someone comes to the door, don’t ask them in.
  
• Sometimes when I'm out in the garden, the neighbours ask me in for a drink.
  

'to ask someone out' means to invite them to go somewhere with you.

• He asked me out so I expected him to pay for dinner.
  
• We often invite our friends out for a drink in the pub.
  

'to ask someone over' means to invite them to come visit you in your home.

• I've asked Diane from across the road over for a cup of coffee later.
  
• He asked me over to see what they had done in the garden.
  

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