Is Ask His Name Simply a Collocation

This paper addresses the simple matter of comparing ask and ask for. According to the traditional view, such expressions as ask his name, ask the price, and ask the way have been treated simply as collocations. Behind the collocational analysis lies a view that the verb ask in the above examples does not require the preposition for in front of its objects, as in ask for the money or ask for a divorce. The traditional view of treating ask the price, etc. as collocations holds that there is no good linguistic reason for the combination of ask and the price without for being in between the two. It sees ask the price as no more than an accidental bundle. However, this paper presents a different view; there is a good reason that there must not be for in the 'collocational' combinations. It is suggested in this research that ask the price and ask for the price are both acceptable only if they are used in different circumstances. A variety of examples show that the meanings are not the same, depending on whether ask needs for or not.