Collocations for ask - verb

gently, quietly, softly
‘How do you feel?’ she asked softly.

conversationally, politely, sweetly
‘Did you sleep well?’ he asked politely.

eagerly, excitedly
angrily, bluntly, coldly, crossly (esp. BrE), impatiently, irritably, sarcastically, sharply, slyly
calmly, casually, coolly, drily, innocently, nonchalantly
‘Oh, Sue went too, did she?’ I asked innocently (= pretending I did not know that this was important).

curiously, doubtfully, incredulously, inquisitively, pointedly, quizzically, sceptically/skeptically, suspiciously, warily
anxiously, apprehensively, concernedly, fearfully, nervously, timidly, worriedly
‘Will he be all right?’ Sabrina asked anxiously.

cautiously, hesitantly, tentatively, uncertainly
hopefully
‘Do you still want to go out tonight?’ she asked hopefully.

jokingly, teasingly
legitimately
Voters can legitimately ask whose interests are being served by the new legislation.
An interviewer may legitimately ask a candidate about current use of illegal drugs

want to
She wanted to ask Mary if she knew what was wrong.
I wanted to ask him a question.

dare (to)
I wondered how old she was but I didn't dare ask.

forget to
I completely forgot to ask his name.

about
He asked about her family.

get asked sth
I often get asked that.

if you don't mind me asking, if you don't mind my asking
How old are you—if you don't mind my asking?

nicely
If you ask her nicely, she'll give you a hand.

specifically
He specifically asked for information on the subject.

for
I'm not asking for money.

Ask is used with these nouns as the subject:
email, interviewer, judge, letter, petition, poll, survey, voice

Ask is used with these nouns as the object:
advice, blessing, court, direction, expert, favour, forgiveness, indulgence, judge, name, opinion, panel, pardon, participant, permission, question, way