0

What's difference between

I am writing to ask for some information about courses.

and

I am writing to ask some information about courses.

cf.

  • Can I ask a favour of you?
  • Why don't you ask his advice?
Improve this question
1
  • The first is good, the second better as I am writing to ask some questions about courses.
    – Weather Vane
    Commented Mar 17, 2018 at 20:30

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

The verb ask differs from similar verbs such as seek and request in that you have to ask someone, either directly or indirectly, even though that someone might be a computer or a deity.

When you say:

Can I ask a favour of you?

you mean: Can I ask you for a favour?

and

Why don't you ask his advice

means: *Why don't you ask him for advice.

Equally, when you say:

May I ask a question?

It's understand that you are speaking to someone, meaning:

May I ask you a question (or a question of you).

So although it's correct to seek or request information or answers, it's not correct to ask information.

You have to follow ask with for (or possibly another preposition such as unto).

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .