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ask after

B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

Ask how someone is doing, especially when you haven't seen them for a while.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To ask for news about someone's health or general wellbeing, especially as a polite social gesture.

"Your old teacher saw me in town and asked after you — she wants to know how university is going."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

A polite, slightly formal expression. Very common in British English. Typically used when passing on a greeting or showing care for someone who is absent. 'She asked after you' means someone wanted to know how you are.

Commonly used with

health family wife husband mother wellbeing

Forms

Base
ask after
I/you/we/they
3rd person
asks after
he/she/it
Past simple
asked after
yesterday
Past participle
asked after
have + pp
-ing form
asking after
continuous

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