0 past simple and past participle of ask --
1 to put a question to someone, or to request an answer from someone: --
[ + speech ] "What time does the train leave?" I asked.
[ + question word ] I've no idea what time the train leaves. Ask the guard whether he knows.
[ + two objects ] She asked me a question.
2 to speak or write to someone saying that you want them to do something, to give you something, or to allow you to do something: --
[ + that ] formal The solicitor asked that her client be allowed to make a phone call.
formal We ask that any faulty goods be returned in their original packaging.
You have to ask permission to leave.
[ + to infinitive ] You should ask your accountant to give you some financial advice.
You should ask (your accountant) for some financial advice.
I asked to see my accountant.
She asked (her manager) if/whether she could leave early to pick up the kids.
3 to request or invite someone to go somewhere with you or to come to your home: --
"Are you going to Muriel's party?" "No, I haven't been asked."
[ + to infinitive ] US I've asked David to come to the party.
The above resembles a story of seven blindfolded persons, who were asked to examine the morphology of an elephant.
Well, perhaps there is none, if it is some bare logical or metaphysical impossibility that is being asked about.
Prior to the first session, we asked each participant to think of a specific area of their playing or performance they wanted to improve.
Subjects were asked to use the swab as if brushing their teeth for 30-60 s until the device was very wet.
Respondents were asked if someone from a political party or anyone else had contacted them about the campaign or about voting for a particular candidate.
If at any time the experimenter was unsure whether the child understood the word, further questions were asked.
The theory prescribed not only how to organize the travel report, but also what was to be visited and asked for.
At each recall, subjects were given the script title and then asked to give a verbal account of the story.