asking
v.v. to say something to someone because you want an answer or information. You also do this when you want someone to give you something or do something for you.
v. to request information, an answer, or a specific action from an interlocutor. Often used with a direct object for the person and a prepositional phrase for the request.
She is asking the teacher for help with her homework.
The manager is currently asking the team for their feedback on the new office layout.
By asking the right questions during the initial interview, the recruiter was able to determine if the candidate possessed the necessary technical skills for the role.
From Middle English askinge, askande, from Old English āsciende, from Proto-West Germanic aiskōndī, present participle of Proto-West Germanic aiskōn (“to ask”), equivalent to ask + -ing.
From Middle English asking, askyng, askynge, from Old English āscung (“asking; question; inquiry”), from Proto-West Germanic *aiskungu, equivalent to ask + -ing.
The verb is transitive; when requesting an object, it typically takes the preposition 'for'.
I am asking to him a question.I am asking him a question.The verb 'ask' takes the person as a direct object without the preposition 'to'.