What Does “Ask after sb” Mean?
“Ask after sb” means to inquire about someone’s health, well-being, or general situation, usually through another person.
Introduction
The phrase “ask after sb” is a common English expression used when you want to know how someone is doing, especially if you haven’t seen them for a while. It is often used in polite conversations to show care or concern. Understanding the “ask after sb” meaning helps learners communicate more naturally in social situations. This phrase is especially useful when talking about friends, family, or colleagues. Using “ask after sb” correctly shows empathy and interest in others’ lives. In this guide, you will learn the meaning, grammar, examples, and common mistakes related to “ask after sb.”
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: ask after somebody
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to inquire about someone’s health or situation
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Ask after sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means the object always comes after the phrase.
- Correct pattern: ask after + somebody
- Incorrect: ask + somebody + after
Example: “I asked after your mother yesterday.”
How to Use “Ask after sb”?
You use “ask after sb” when you want to find out how someone is doing, usually through another person. It often appears in past tense or present perfect when talking about recent inquiries.
Common contexts include:
- When talking about friends or family you haven’t seen recently
- When checking on someone’s health after illness
- When showing polite interest in someone’s life
Examples
- “She always asks after your father when we meet.”
- “Did you ask after Sarah? I heard she was unwell.”
- “My boss asked after you this morning.”
- “When I saw Tom, he asked after you.”
- “I called her to ask after her recovery.”
These examples show natural ways to use “ask after sb” in sentences.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I asked you after your mother.
Correct: I asked after your mother. - Incorrect: She asked your brother after.
Correct: She asked after your brother. - Incorrect: Ask after him your friend.
Correct: Ask after your friend.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “check on sb,” “inquire about sb,” and “ask about sb.”
- Ask after sb focuses on asking about health or well-being.
- Check on sb means to make sure someone is safe or okay, often by visiting or calling.
- Ask about sb is more general and can refer to any information, not just health.
Example: “I asked after her” (health), vs. “I asked about her job” (general info).
Common Collocations
- ask after family
- ask after friend
- ask after mother/father
- ask after colleague
- ask after health
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of ask after sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Have you seen Mark recently?
John: No, but I asked after him when I bumped into Sarah.
Anna: Oh, great! How is he?
John: He’s doing well, thanks for asking!
Practice
Fill in the blanks with “ask after”:
- When I visited Jane, I ________ her parents.
- Did you ________ Tom? I heard he was sick.
- My teacher always ________ her students when they are absent.
- She called to ________ her old friends.
FAQs
- Q: Can I use “ask after” in formal writing?
A: It is mostly used in spoken and informal writing but can appear in formal letters to show concern. - Q: Is “ask after” separable?
A: No, “ask after” is inseparable. The object goes immediately after the phrase. - Q: Does “ask after” only refer to health?
A: Mostly, but it can also mean asking about someone’s general situation. - Q: What is the difference between “ask after” and “ask about”?
A: “Ask after” focuses on well-being; “ask about” is broader and can refer to any information. - Q: Can I say “ask after someone” in past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “I asked after her yesterday.”
