# ask about

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ask-about
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to request information or news about someone or something.

For teachers: to inquire regarding a specific subject, person, or situation; functions as an intransitive verb followed by a prepositional object.

## Examples

- I called to ask about the job opening.
- When I saw Sarah, she didn't forget to ask about your new apartment.
- The investigators began to ask about his whereabouts on the night the documents went missing from the office.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He asked about to me." but "He asked me about it." — the person being questioned is the direct object, while the topic follows 'about'.

## Usage notes

- the object is usually the topic of the inquiry or a person's well-being.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'ask for' (requesting a thing) versus 'ask about' (requesting information); this is a high-frequency combination for basic social interaction.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.