ask
- Used for requesting information, help, or permission.
- Can be followed by a direct object or a question: ask someone, ask a question.
- Common in everyday situations.
- Covers both casual and formal contexts.
inquire
- Means to seek information formally or officially.
- Usually used without a direct object (inquire about something).
- More formal than ask, often found in written or professional contexts.
- Suggests a more serious or detailed form of questioning.
Summary:
ask is versatile and used in most situations where you request or pose questions, while inquire is reserved for formal, official, or serious contexts.
*inquire* is preferred in formal business contexts.
Yes, 'ask' is used for requesting information, help, permission, and for posing questions.
'ask' is the correct choice for casual conversation.
Usage in Sentences
Ask
- Can I ask you a question?
- She asked for some advice.
- I will ask them about the meeting.
Inquire
- I would like to inquire about the job opening.
- They inquired whether the product was still available.
- Please inquire at the front desk for more information.
'inquire' is appropriate for formal questioning.
Yes, 'ask' is suitable for requests like favors.
You would use 'ask' in a casual context.
Related Forms
Ask:
- Noun: asking
- Related: request, question
Inquire:
- Noun: inquiry (or enquiry in British English)
- Related: investigate, probe
Summary:
ask → asking; inquire → inquiry. Inquire is linked to formal investigation, while ask focuses on direct questions or requests.
The noun form of 'inquire' is 'inquiry'.
'asking' is the noun form of 'ask'.
'inquire' is related to investigate and probe.
Conclusion
ask is the go-to verb for questions and requests in most situations, while inquire adds a formal, professional tone.
- Use ask for everyday, casual, and even some formal scenarios.
- Choose inquire when you need to sound official or are dealing with serious information requests.
- Remember that inquire often appears in writing or formal speech, not casual conversation.