Select the appropriate option to complete the following sentence with the correct pair of preposition and pronoun:
When Dadi was in hospital, our neighbours asked ________ every evening when they met Papa at the gate.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → after her
Complete sentence: When Dadi was in hospital, our neighbours asked after her every evening when they met Papa at the gate. Dadi was in hospital, and the neighbours wanted news of her from Papa.
| Option | Form and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) after her (answer) | “ask after a person” means to ask how that person is, usually about health | Our teacher fell ill, and the whole class asked after her. |
| (2) for her | “ask for her” means to ask to see or speak to her | The courier came to the gate and asked for her by name. |
| (3) of her | “ask something of her” means to request something from her | I have one small favour to ask of her. |
| (4) to her | “ask” takes the person straight after it, with no “to”; “to her” goes with verbs such as speak, talk and write | I will speak to her after class. |