ask after
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle after
Meanings
Politely ask about someone's health or wellbeing
Why “after”? Attention follows someone after them, staying close enough to protect or ask about them.
“She asked after your mother.”
“Tom asked after your brother.”
Don't confuse with
Ask after means politely ask about someone's health or wellbeing. Ask about means make enquiries concerning something.
Test yourself
“She asked after your mother.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
ask about
A contrast learners often mix up
Make enquiries concerning something
inquire after
Same after pattern: care
Formally ask about someone's wellbeing
look after
Same after pattern: care
Take care of someone or something
ask around
Same base verb: ask
Ask several different people in order to find information
ask in
Same base verb: ask
Invite someone to enter your home
ask out
Same base verb: ask
Invite someone on a romantic date
ask round
Same base verb: ask
Invite someone to visit one's home; Make enquiries among many people
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