Ask vs. Query: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Ask is to request information or guidance, while Query is a question, often formal or technical, seeking specific information.
Key Differences
Ask generally refers to the act of requesting information, advice, or help. Query, on the other hand, is more specific and often implies a formal or technical question.
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Dec 04, 2023
The term Ask can be casual and is used in everyday conversation. Query tends to be more formal, used in contexts like computing or research.
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Dec 04, 2023
When you Ask something, it can be a general question or request. A Query is usually more precise, seeking specific information or clarification.
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Dec 04, 2023
Ask can also imply a request for action or response. Query, however, is primarily focused on gaining information or solving a specific issue.
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Dec 04, 2023
While Ask is versatile and widely used, Query often appears in professional or technical settings, requiring detailed answers.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Request information, advice, action
Seek specific information or clarification
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Common Settings
Social, informal settings
Technical, professional environments
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Ask and Query Definitions
Query
A question, especially one addressing a specific point.
The scientist submitted a query about the experiment's results.
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Ask
To request assistance or help.
Can you ask someone to help us move this?
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Query
A request for information in computing.
He wrote a database query to extract customer data.
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Ask
To pose a question.
The journalist asked a tough question during the interview.
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Query
An expression of doubt or question about accuracy.
Her query highlighted an error in the report.
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Ask
To put a question to
When we realized that we didn't know the answer, we asked the teacher.
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Query
A technical question in a specific field.
The programmer resolved a query in the code.
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Dec 04, 2023
Query
A notation, usually a question mark, calling attention to an item in order to question its validity or accuracy.
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Ask
To make a request for. Often used with an infinitive or clause
Ask a favor of a friend.
Asked to go along on the trip.
Asked that he be allowed to stay out late.
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Query
To express doubt or uncertainty about; question
Query someone's motives.
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Ask
To require or call for as a price or condition
Asked ten dollars for the book.
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Query
To mark (an item) with a notation in order to question its validity or accuracy.
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Query
A question, an inquiry US, an enquiry UK.
The teacher answered the student’s query concerning biosynthesis.
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Query
A set of instructions passed to a database.
The database admin switched on query logging for debugging purposes.
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Ask
The act of making a request
“He was contacted by the mayor's fund-raiser ... a day after the mayor made the ask” (Jennifer Fermino).
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Ask
Something that is requested
“Being funny on demand is a big ask” (Anne Curzan).
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Ask
To request (information, or an answer to a question).
I asked her age.
I asked her (for) her age.
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Query
To pass a set of instructions to a database to retrieve information from it.
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Ask
To interrogate or enquire of (a person).
I'm going to ask this lady for directions.
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Ask
To request or petition; usually with for.
To ask for a second helping at dinner
To ask for help with homework
Emma asked Jim to close his eyes.
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Query
A question; an inquiry to be answered or solved.
I shall conclude with proposing only some queries, in order to a . . . search to be made by others.
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Ask
To request permission to do something.
She asked to see the doctor.
Did you ask to use the car?
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Query
A question in the mind; a doubt; as, I have a query about his sincerity.
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Ask
To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity.
What price are you asking for the house?
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Query
To ask questions; to make inquiry.
Each prompt to query, answer, and debate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ask
To publish in church for marriage; said of both the banns and the persons.
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Query
To put questions about; to elicit by questioning; to inquire into; as, to query the items or the amount; to query the motive or the fact.
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Oct 19, 2023
Query
To write " query" (qu., qy., or ?) against, as a doubtful spelling, or sense, in a proof. See Quære.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ask
(Internet) A message sent to a blog on social networking platform Tumblr, which can be publicly posted and replied to by the recipient.
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Query
An instance of questioning;
There was a question about my training
We made inquiries of all those who were present
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Query
A formal question or inquiry.
The auditor raised a query regarding the financial records.
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Dec 04, 2023
Ask
To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; to solicit; - often with of, in the sense of from, before the person addressed.
Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ask
To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity; as, what price do you ask?
Ask me never so much dowry.
To whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
An exigence of state asks a much longer time to conduct a design to maturity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ask
To interrogate or inquire of or concerning; to put a question to or about; to question.
He is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
He asked the way to Chester.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ask
To publish in church for marriage; - said of both the banns and the persons.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ask
To request or petition; - usually followed by for; as, to ask for bread.
Ask, and it shall be given you.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ask
To make inquiry, or seek by request; - sometimes followed by after.
Wherefore . . . dost ask after my name?
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Ask
Inquire about;
I asked about their special today
He had to ask directions several times
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Ask
Make a request or demand for something to somebody;
She asked him for a loan
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Ask
Consider obligatory; request and expect;
We require our secretary to be on time
Aren't we asking too much of these children?
I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons
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Ask
Require or ask for as a price or condition;
He is asking $200 for the table
The kidnapers are asking a million dollars in return for the release of their hostage
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Ask
Address a question to and expect an answer from;
Ask your teacher about trigonometry
The children asked me about their dead grandmother
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Ask
Require as useful, just, or proper;
It takes nerve to do what she did
Success usually requires hard work
This job asks a lot of patience and skill
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can Ask be used in formal situations?
Yes, though it's more common in casual contexts.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is a Query always technical?
Often, but it can be used in any context requiring specific information.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can Ask be a synonym for request?
Yes, in contexts where it's used to request help or action.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can Ask imply a request for action?
Yes, it can involve requests for help or specific actions.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does a Query need technical knowledge to answer?
In many cases, especially if it's a technical or specialized query.
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Are Queries common in academic research?
Yes, they are often used to seek specific information or clarification.
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Are Queries used in programming?
Yes, particularly in database management and programming.
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Is Query used more in certain professions?
Yes, especially in computing, research, and academic fields.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does Ask require a detailed answer?
Not necessarily, it depends on the context and nature of the question.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is Ask appropriate for all age groups?
Yes, it's universally used across different ages and settings.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can Ask be used in writing?
Absolutely, it's used in both spoken and written communication.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can a Query be informal?
It's typically more formal, but the tone can vary based on context.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is Ask used in customer service?
Yes, it's commonly used to understand customer needs or requests.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can a Query be about clarification?
Yes, it often seeks to clarify or gain precise information.
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Dec 04, 2023
Do Queries require a specific format?
In professional or technical settings, they may follow a specific format.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can you Ask a rhetorical question?
Yes, where the answer is not expected or already known.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can Ask be used in legal contexts?
Yes, though Query might be more common in formal legal settings.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is a Query always related to problem-solving?
Frequently, especially in technical or professional contexts.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is a Query more likely to be written?
Often, especially in professional or technical communications.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is Ask suitable for verbal communication?
Yes, it's commonly used in everyday speech.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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