Can you please tell me if there is any difference in meaning between ask something from someone and ask something of someone? For example:
We always need to ask that kind of information from a customer.
We always need to ask that kind of information of a customer.
Are both perfectly natural in the sentence? Are there contexts where you would use one but not the other?
We can use 'ask something of someone'. But we cannot use 'ask something from someone'.
ask something of someone (to request someone to give us something)- Can I ask a favour of you? (=Can I ask you a favour?)
She asks too much of me.
ask someone something- Can I ask you a favour? (= Can I ask a favour of you?)
We also use 'ask for' when we request someone to give us something.
She asked me for money.
Technically, your second example is the correct one:
We always need to ask that kind of information of a customer.
However, you probably won't hear that in American English because it's very formal. You're more likely to hear:
We always need to ask for that kind of information from a customer.
But the best choice is probably:
We always need to get that kind of information from a customer.
Neither of your sentences make sense.
To [ "ask" + something + "of" + someone ] means to ask someone to do something significant for you.
Could you make dinner for me? I hope it's not too much to ask of you.
There's no structure to "ask" something "from" someone.
