to ask、 問う、求める

英語の動詞＜to ask＞はよく使う動詞のひとつだが、使い方は難しい。日本語では＜問う＞、＜たずねる（尋ねる、訪ねる、の漢字がある）＞、＜聞く＞が相当する日本語だがこれ以外に＜to ask for＞として＜求める＞がある。また＜to ask someone to do＞の形式で＜ｘｘ に ｘｘ  してくれるように頼む＞、＜ｘｘ に ｘｘ  してくれるようにお願いする＞、あるいはもっと簡単に＜ｘｘ に ｘｘ  してもらう＞の意があり、これはよく使う。必要度が高いためか子供は相当早くからこれを使うようだ。＜I want you to do＞はこれよりも早いようだ。

 ＜to ask＞は他動詞か自動詞か？

Internet 辞典の解説は次の通り。（www.thefreedictionary.com/ask）

ask  (ăsk)

 

v.tr. － 他動詞

1. To put a question to: When we realized that we didn't know the answer, we asked the teacher.

2. To seek an answer to: ask a question.

3. To seek information about: asked directions.

4.

a. To make a request of: asked me for a loan.

b. To make a request for. Often used with an infinitive or clause: ask a favor of a friend; asked to go along on the trip; asked that he be allowed to stay out late.

5. To require or call for as a price or condition: asked ten dollars for the book.

6. To expect or demand: ask too much of a child.

7. To invite: asked them to dinner.

8. Archaic To publish, as marriage banns.

v.intr.  － 自動詞

1. To make inquiry; seek information.

2. To make a request: asked for help.

Collins World English Dictionary

ask  (ɑːsk)
— vb  (often followed by for )
1.	( often followed by about ) to put a question (to); request an answer (from): she asked ( him )  about God
2.	( tr ) to inquire about: she asked him the time of the train ; she asked the way
3.	( tr ) to direct or put (a question)
4.	to make a request or demand: she asked ( him )  for information ; they asked for a deposit
5.	( tr ) to demand or expect (esp in the phrases ask a lot of, ask too much of )
6.	( tr ) ask out , Also: ask over  to request (a person) politely to come or go to a place; invite: he asked her to the party
7.	( tr ) to need; require: the job asks both time and patience
8.	archaic  ( tr ) to proclaim (marriage banns)

上の例もみると大体は他動詞として使われていいる。自動詞の場合は for が続いて＜あるモノを求める＞といった意味で使われる。

他動詞の場合、

 to ask a question ともいえるし to ask someone a question と間接、直接の二つの目的語がとれる。＜誰々に質問をする＞だ。

日本語と少しちがうののは＜誰々に何々を問う＞の場合 to ask someone about something で問う対象の前に about がきて＜誰々に何々について問う＞という言い方になる。

she asked ( him ) about God  

＜him＞がない場合は

she asked about God 

形式的には自動詞になるが、＜him＞が省略されたものとみなして依然として他動詞扱いのようだ。

to ask someone for something のように対象の前に for がくると＜問う＞ではなく元来自動詞の意味の＜求める＞になる。これは someone のない to ask for something の場合の ask は形式的に自動詞だ。

 ＜to request＞は他動詞だけなので、間違いの発生はすくない。＜to 不定詞＞が使えるのも to ask と同じだ。ただし＜問う＞、＜尋ねる＞の意は薄いようだ。＜to request a question＞は変だ。＜I have a question to request you to answer to＞ならいいが、こうもまず言わず簡単な＜I have a question.＞で十分。

1. To express a desire for; ask for. Often used with an infinitive or clause: requested information about the experiment; requested to see the evidence firsthand; requested that the bus driver stop at the next corner.

2. To ask (a person) to do something: The police requested her to accompany them.

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