ASK AFTER

Human Communication

"When you consistently ask after the welfare of others, you cultivate an inner garden where empathy blooms and kindness takes root."

📖 Definition

To ask after means to inquire about someone's wellbeing or status, usually showing interest in their health, happiness, or general condition.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

To ask after means to inquire about someone's wellbeing or status, usually showing interest in their health, happiness, or general condition.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
The verb cannot be split from the preposition 'after'.
Register
Neutral
Suitable for both formal and informal conversations.
Transitive
Yes
Needs a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple ask after She always asks after the children when they meet.
Past Simple asked after They asked after her health during the visit.
Present Continuous asking after He is asking after his colleagues' well-being right now.
Present Perfect have asked after We have always asked after our neighbors during hard times.

💡 When to Use

Inquiring about health
Use when you want to show concern for someone's health status, especially after illness or absence.
Example: "After her surgery, everyone asked after her recovery progress."
Expressing interest in someone's life
When you wish to express genuine interest in someone's life or circumstances.
Example: "He asked after my family during every phone call."
Social etiquette in meetings
When meeting someone socially, asking after mutual acquaintances can be part of formal etiquette.
Example: "Asking after mutual friends is common at social gatherings."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Wrong preposition use
❌ Wrong: She asked about him yesterday.
✅ Correct: She asked after him yesterday.
💡 Tip: Remember, 'after' is used when showing concern.
Incorrect object placement
❌ Wrong: Asked him after, we did.
✅ Correct: We asked after him.
💡 Tip: Always place the object after the verb phrase.
Using it as separable
❌ Wrong: Ask him after his health.
✅ Correct: Ask after his health.
💡 Tip: Do not separate 'ask' and 'after'.
Practice

ASK AFTER - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    Whenever we visit our grandmother, she asks after each of us and wants to know our stories.

    Voices Across Distance
  • 2
    Listen to example

    He didn't just say hello; he genuinely asked after how my project was progressing.

    Voices Across Distance
  • 3
    Listen to example

    During the meeting, she took the time to ask after the well-being of distant colleagues.

    Voices Across Distance

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

inquire about check on

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Whenever he called his mother, he made sure to ___ after her health and happiness."

ask about
ask after
ask for
ask over

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Ask After

What is the origin of [phrasal verb]?

+
'Ask after' originates from Old English, with 'ask' meaning 'call for' or 'demand' and 'after' indicating continuity or interest in someone's condition.

Can [phrasal verb] be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'ask after' can be used in both formal and informal settings. Its neutral register makes it suitable for casual inquiries or professional contexts.

What is the difference between [phrasal verb] and [synonym]?

+
While 'ask after' and 'inquire about' can be used interchangeably, 'ask after' often implies personal interest, whereas 'inquire about' may sound more formal or procedural.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

inquire aboutcheck onlook in onfollow up onshow concern for
Browse All Voices Across Distance Phrasal Verbs
Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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