The expression "don't hesitate to ask" is a polite and encouraging way of telling someone that they are welcome to request help, information, or assistance. It essentially means "feel free to ask" or "please ask if you need anything." It reassures the person that asking for help will not be an imposition or inconvenience.
While the phrase is mostly compositional (the meaning can be derived from the individual words), it functions as a stock phrase with a specific pragmatic force, making it semi-idiomatic.
The register is generally neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards the polite and considerate side.
The grammatical pattern is: don't hesitate to + verb (infinitive form). In this case, "ask" is the infinitive form of the verb. The phrase is typically followed by a prepositional phrase specifying what to ask for (e.g., "Don't hesitate to ask for help"), or a pronoun or noun phrase indicating whom to ask (e.g., "Don't hesitate to ask me").
The components of the expression should not be separated. It would sound unnatural to say something like "Don't hesitate to quickly ask." Using a different verb, a wrong preposition, or an inappropriate object would also sound unnatural. For example, "Don't hesitate to demand" would change the meaning entirely, and "Don't hesitate of asking" is grammatically incorrect.
These examples are sourced from don't hesitate to ask on Ludwig.guru.
"Don't hesitate to ask." — Harvard University
"Don't hesitate to ask for clarification." — Cornell University
"And don't hesitate to ask questions of the previous owner." — The New York Times - Health
"If you need further help, don't hesitate to Ask a Librarian!" — Cornell University
"Don't hesitate to ask your doctor about pen needles, including questions about your technique and dosage." — University of California, Berkeley
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/don't+hesitate+to+ask
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| feel free to ask | More informal and casual. |
| please ask | A simple and direct request; suitable for most situations. |
| do not hesitate to contact | More formal, often used in professional or official communication. |
| if you have any questions, let me know | Slightly more conversational and personalized. |
| if you need anything, just ask | Emphasizes willingness to provide assistance beyond just answering questions. |
| don't be afraid to ask | Useful when the person might be shy or intimidated. |
| you're welcome to ask | Reinforces the idea that asking is perfectly acceptable. |
| Expression | Meaning | Grammatical Pattern | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don't hesitate to ask | Feel free to request help or information. | don't hesitate to + verb (infinitive) | Neutral (leaning towards polite) |
No, the phrase "don't hesitate to ask" functions as a unit and should not be separated. Inserting words between "hesitate" and "to" would disrupt the idiomatic flow and sound unnatural. For example, saying "Don't hesitate at all to ask" is grammatically correct, but it's more common and natural to keep the core phrase intact.
Both "don't hesitate to ask" and "feel free to ask" invite someone to request assistance, but "feel free to ask" is slightly more informal and casual. "Don't hesitate to ask" is a bit more polite and reassuring, implying a greater willingness to help and a more formal context.
No, it is incorrect to use the gerund form "asking" in this phrase. The correct grammatical structure requires the infinitive form of the verb, so you should always say "don't hesitate to ask". Using the gerund form, as in "don't hesitate asking," is a common mistake but is grammatically incorrect in this context.
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