Phrasal verb
ask after
Meanings
to inquire about someone’s health, well-being, or situation
Definition
To ask after someone is to inquire about their health or well-being.
When you ask after someone, you want to know how they are doing, especially their health or general situation. It is often used when the person is not present. People commonly use it in polite conversation to show care or interest.
Examples
- I always ask after my neighbors when I see their daughter at the park.
- Could you ask after your uncle and let me know how he’s doing?
- She asked after her former teacher when she visited the old school.
- They asked after their friend when they heard he’d been absent from work.
- He asked after his colleague during the video call before starting the meeting.
Common mistake
Learners often say "ask for" instead of "ask after" when they mean to inquire about someone’s well-being.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.