Cool MateAsk him vs Inquire vs Question vs Request
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ask him
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Inquire
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)B1verb
Question
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Request
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most formal: Inquire
| Ask him | Inquire | Question | Request | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɑːsk hɪm//🇺🇸 //æsk hɪm// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈkwest/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈkwest/"]/ |
| Meaning | To request information or help from him. | to ask about something | A sentence or phrase that asks for information. | to ask for something |
| Example | You should always ask him for advice before making decisions. | I called the school to inquire about the application process. | The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam. | I would like to make a request for a day off next week. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | ask him a question, ask him for help, ask him to join, ask him about his day | inquire about, inquire into, inquire if, inquire regarding, inquire as to | 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 | special, legitimate, reasonable, make, put in, send, at somebody’s request, by request, on request, available on request, available upon request, by popular request, special, legitimate, reasonable, make, put in, send, at somebody’s request, by request, on request, available on request, available upon request, by popular request |
| Antonyms | - | ignore, disregard, ignore | answer, solution | refuse, decline |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'him' and saying just 'ask' without the object., Using incorrect pronouns like 'her' instead of 'him'. | Using 'inquire' instead of 'require'., Confusing 'inquire' with 'enquire' (especially in British English)., Using 'inquire' without a specific subject (e.g., 'I want to inquire the details' instead of 'I want to inquire about the details'). | Confusing 'question' with 'query' in formal contexts., Using 'questions' as a singular noun, e.g., 'I have a question' instead of 'I have questions.' | Using 'request' with a different preposition, such as 'request for'., Confusing 'request' with 'require'., Not using it in the correct form, like 'requested' instead of 'requesting'. |
| 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 'inquire' in formal contexts, such as business or official situations. It's less common in everyday conversation, where 'ask' is preferred. Avoid using it in informal settings. | 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. | Used in polite or formal contexts. It may sound too formal for casual conversations, where simpler words like 'ask' are preferred. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ask him vs Inquire vs Question vs Request
What's the difference between Ask him, Inquire, Question, and Request?
Ask him: To request information or help from him. Inquire: to ask about something Question: A sentence or phrase that asks for information. Request: to ask for something
Which is more formal: Ask him, Inquire, Question, and Request?
Inquire is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Ask him, Inquire, Question, and Request?
Inquire is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Ask him: You should always ask him for advice before making decisions. Inquire: I called the school to inquire about the application process. Question: The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam. Request: I would like to make a request for a day off next week.
Can I use Ask him, Inquire, Question, and Request interchangeably?
Not always. Ask him, Inquire, Question, and Request 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.