Cool MateAsk him vs Question
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ask him
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Question
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Question
| Ask him | Question | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɑːsk hɪm//🇺🇸 //æsk hɪm// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/ |
| Meaning | To request information or help from him. | A sentence or phrase that asks for information. |
| Example | You should always ask him for advice before making decisions. | The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | ask him a question, ask him for help, ask him to join, ask him about his day | awkward, difficult, embarrassing, ask (somebody), have, address, question about, question as to, question concerning to, awkward, difficult, embarrassing, ask (somebody), have, address, question about, question as to, question concerning to, burning, challenging, controversial, bring up, pose, raise, arise, go unanswered, remain unanswered, question about, question for, question of, come into, call into, be open to, beyond question, in question, without question |
| Antonyms | - | answer, solution |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'him' and saying just 'ask' without the object., Using incorrect pronouns like 'her' instead of 'him'. | Confusing 'question' with 'query' in formal contexts., Using 'questions' as a singular noun, e.g., 'I have a question' instead of 'I have questions.' |
| Usage notes | Use 'ask him' in casual or formal conversations when requesting someone to do something or to seek information. Avoid in very formal writing. | Use 'question' in both formal and informal settings. It's appropriate in classrooms, interviews, and casual conversations. Avoid using in situations where a statement is expected. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ask him vs Question
What's the difference between Ask him and Question?
Ask him: To request information or help from him. Question: A sentence or phrase that asks for information.
Which is more common: Ask him and Question?
Question is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Ask him: You should always ask him for advice before making decisions. Question: The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam.
Can I use Ask him and Question interchangeably?
Not always. Ask him and Question are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.