Preposition: for

• clarification: If you are unsure, restate the question or ask for a clarification.

• help: Helen phoned up and asked for help as I had nowhere to go for help with my severe panic attacks and depression.

• forgiveness: More importantly, Jack had been able to ask for forgiveness, for failing to be the lover he should have been.

Object

• question: He asked the question along the lines of " I charge a company £ 1000 for a training course.

• pupil: Ask pupils, as a class, what sorts of things bring memories to mind?

• permission: They ask permission to enter or leave the shrine of the saint.

• someone: When I ask someone for shipping details I expect them to reply.

Used with why or when

• why: Mr Woodcock asked why noise testing had not been made public.

• what: Becky was asked what she would want to bring to the job.

• who: A letter to the editor asks who made the decision to close the coffee shop in the Central Library.

• where: During a speech near Houston, Bush was asked where he stood on the " Liberty Amendments.

• which: I do not ask primarily which decoration is beautiful or what makes for a good shape.

• when: The evening proved to be very enjoyable and a number of people asked when the next such event would be held.

Infinitive complement

• speak: Ask to speak with the civil servants developing the proposals.

• submit: Through a national campaign, the UK public has been asked to submit images of freshwater sites local to them.

• confirm: You will be asked to confirm that you wish to accept the download.

• complete: You may be asked to complete a simple form or a member of staff may enter details directly onto the library computer system.

Preposition: at

• desk: If you are still having problems, ask at the inquiry desk.