Business English Alternatives to Ask

Ask is one of the most common verbs in English, but in professional emails and meetings, using more formal alternatives can make your communication sound polished and respectful. In this short video, you will learn three business English alternatives to ask. First, inquire, which means to ask for information. For example, I'd like to inquire about the next steps. It is very common in emails to companies, clients and customer service teams. Second, request, which means to ask for something formally, like approval, documents or support. For example, We kindly request your approval by Friday. Third, seek, which is often used with words like clarification, advice and approval. For example, We seek clarification on this matter. Each verb has a slightly different use: inquire is for information, request is for something you need, and seek is formal and often used in official writing. These words help you sound confident and professional in emails, reports, presentations and job applications. They are also useful for exams like IELTS and business English certificates. Watch the video, listen to the pause before each word and repeat the example sentences. With these alternatives, your professional requests will sound clear and sophisticated.