The phrasal verb 'ask out' is predominantly used in informal contexts, often appearing in casual conversations rather than formal discourse. It is utilized when discussing romantic or social invitations, specifically when one person invites another to accompany them on a date or social event. Common scenarios include casual speech among friends or in light-hearted discussions about relationships and dating. 'Ask out' is versatile in terms of tense; it can be transformed into 'asked out,' 'asking out,' or 'asks out' depending on the context. It is a straightforward, yet pivotal phrase in social dialogs focusing on dating culture, and rarely found in more formal writing or professional communication, where more formal expression, like 'invite to dinner,' might be used instead. Understanding 'ask out' often relies on the knowledge of colloquial relationship dynamics and nuances within different social settings.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To invite someone to go somewhere with you, especially for a romantic date.
He finally had the courage to ask her out to dinner.
She was thrilled when her coworker asked her out for coffee.
They met at a party, and he asked her out the following week.
After months of flirting, he decided to ask out his classmate.
She was surprised when he asked her out on a date.