# asking

/ˈæskɪŋ/ (US) · /ˈɑːskɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/asking
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. posing a question

verb · CEFR A1

the action of putting a question to someone to get information.

For teachers: the present participle of 'ask', used in progressive tenses to indicate the act of questioning or requesting.

- She is asking the teacher for help with her math homework.
- The journalists were persistently asking the spokesperson about the sudden shift in policy during the morning press conference.

Usage: often followed by 'for' when requesting an object or 'about' when seeking information.

### 2. the act of requesting

noun · CEFR B2

the process of making a request or a demand.

For teachers: the act or process of making a request, often used as a gerund.

- The job is yours for the asking if you really want it.
- Success in this industry is rarely just for the asking; it requires years of networking and significant financial investment.

Usage: often appears in the phrase 'for the asking', meaning available if requested.

### 3. expressing a question

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

showing that you are waiting for an answer or want to know something.

For teachers: describing a look, tone, or gesture that expresses a question or a request for information.

- He gave her an asking look when she stopped talking suddenly.
- She turned toward him with an asking expression, silently prompting him to explain the discrepancy in the financial reports.

Usage: usually placed before the noun it describes.

## Examples

- 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.

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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.