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ask the way

English translation: ask the way (correct)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:ask the way
Selected answer:ask the way (correct)

09:27 Apr 10, 2015
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2015-04-14 02:54:08 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)


English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / General
English term or phrase: ask the way
I saw in some teaching material that the topic of a lesson is "Learn to ask the way", is this correct English expression? I think it should be "Learn to ask for the way". Thanks!

There are also expressions like "Go straight two blocks" (I think there should be "for" before 2 blocks) ; and "Go straight" without "ahead" after it.
Ms Faith
ask the way (correct)
Explanation:
As a native speaker of US English, I would say that "ask the way" is correct. Here is an example of the expression on a university website:

https://ag.purdue.edu/connections/Pages/article.aspx?sid=24&...
Selected response from:

Arabic & More
Jordan
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +8ask the way (correct)
Arabic & More
4 +3ask the way / ask for directions
B D Finch
41 fine; 2 American English?
Sheila Wilson


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +8
ask the way (correct)


Explanation:
As a native speaker of US English, I would say that "ask the way" is correct. Here is an example of the expression on a university website:

https://ag.purdue.edu/connections/Pages/article.aspx?sid=24&...

Arabic & More
Jordan
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 52
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  B D Finch
4 mins
agree  Victoria Britten
20 mins
agree  Armorel Young: Absolutely, no doubt about it (ask the way, ask the time, but ask for help, ask for the salt)
21 mins
agree  magdadh: absolutely
2 hrs
agree  Tushar Deep
5 hrs
agree  Jean-Claude Gouin
10 hrs
agree  Tony M
1 day 10 hrs
agree  Alok Tiwari
2 days 6 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
ask the way / ask for directions


Explanation:
It sounds fine to me: normal, colloquial English. A more formal option would be "Learn to ask for directions". "Learn to ask for the way" is wrong and very stilted. "Go straight two blocks"

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Note added at 10 mins (2015-04-10 09:37:59 GMT)
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Oops, I hit Enter before I was ready to!

"Go straight two blocks" is not quite right. I suggest you ask another question, especially as neither of your suggested changes solves the problem with it.

B D Finch
France
Local time: 14:02
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 192

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Arabic & More
0 min
  -> Thanks Amel
agree  Tony M
1 day 10 hrs
  -> Thanks Tony
agree  Alok Tiwari
2 days 6 hrs
  -> Thanks Alok
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
1 fine; 2 American English?


Explanation:
The first is correct as it is, without "for". The second has an American ring to it - not 100% sure if it's 'correct' US English but it could well be. Adding "for" is an option, though I personally would use the phrasal verb "straight on". These common expressions that are spoken more often than written rarely have one 'correct' form in English.

Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 13:02
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  B D Finch: Ask the way to the station. Ask for the way to solve a problem. Ask for the way to salvation. The main problem with the second phrase (and "straight on", is not a phrasal verb) is the choice of verb.
13 mins
  -> I can't imagine what I was thinking about when I called it a phrasal verb; certainly not grammar!
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