ask someone out

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to invite someone on a romantic date. It is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the pronoun or the person's name usually goes between 'ask' and 'out'.

Examples

• He finally built up the courage to ask her out on a date.

  He finally built up the courage to ask her out on a date.

• I think you should ask him out; you have nothing to lose!

  I think you should ask him out; you have nothing to lose!

• She asked me out to dinner, and we had a wonderful time.

  She asked me out to dinner, and we had a wonderful time.

• Has he asked you out yet, or are you still just texting?

  Has he asked you out yet, or are you still just texting?

• I wanted to ask Sarah out, but I was too nervous.

  I wanted to ask Sarah out, but I was too nervous.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He asked out her last night.

  ✓ He asked her out last night.

  When using a pronoun (him, her, them, us), it must go between 'ask' and 'out'.

• ✗ I want to ask out to my coworker.

  ✓ I want to ask my coworker out.

  Do not use 'to' before the person you are inviting. The person is the direct object of the verb.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you like her, you should just ___.

  💡 Invite her on a date

  Show answer

  ask her out

• He was too shy to ___ to the movies.

  💡 Invite me on a date

  Show answer

  ask me out