Meaning
- To ask several people for information or help, often by going from person to person.
Today's Sentences
01
I’ll ask around.
Situation
The cafe has been super busy lately.
That’s great!
You must be short on staff then.
Actually, I’m looking for an extra barista.
I’ll ask around for you.
02
Have you asked around about him?
Situation
We’ve had some items stolen from the garage recently.
Really?
And we’ve seen a strange man in the neighborhood.
Have you asked around about him?
Writer's Note
The phrasal verb "ask around" is classified as an intransitive and inseparable phrasal verb.
1. Intransitive - It does not take a direct object to make sense.
Correct Example: I didn’t know the answer, so I asked around.
👉 Here, "asked around" stands alone as the action. There's no direct object receiving the action of ask.
Incorrect Example: I asked around my friends.
👉 This sounds awkward and incorrect because it makes my friends the direct object of ask around, which doesn't work with this phrasal verb.
2. Inseparable - You cannot place an object between ask and around.
Example: I asked around for a good mechanic.
Related words: Check, enquire, find out, inform, inquire, investigate.
