Ask and Demand

This week we answer a question from Nangatoum, from Chad.

Question:

I would like to know the difference between "ask" and "demand" and when to use each of them. - Nangatoum, Chad

Answer:

Dear Nangatoum,

Thanks for "asking" this question – and not "demanding" an answer. These words can be used in similar situations. The difference between them is in the force of the words. When you think you would like something, you may "ask" for it. But if you think you have a right to something, you are more likely to "demand" it.

"Ask" and "demand" are both verbs. We often use "demand" as a noun¹, but rarely use "ask" as a noun. Here are examples:

You should ask the office for technical support.

The workers gave their supervisor² a list of demands.

Ask

We usually use "ask" in request of something.

Let me ask you a question.

Did you ask your friend to come to the party?

Demand

"Demand" has a much stronger feel than "ask." A person who leads an effort, like a teacher or employer³, would be more likely to make demands.

The teacher demanded an answer to the question.

The police demanded that I show my identification⁴.

Notice the word "that" after "demand" in our example. The part of the sentence following "demand that" must have the simple form of a verb. For example,

Our town is demanding that everyone stay at home.

The verb "stay" is the simple form of the verb. It does not change when the subject is plural⁵:

The governor⁶ demanded that all citizens stay inside.

Another way we use "demand" these days is in talking about the "on-demand economy." That is the term used for internet-based businesses such as ride-sharing, meal delivery⁷ and online shopping which connect purchasers immediately and directly with goods and services. When you "demand" an Uber or Lyft car, it comes to you.

Choices

To review, when someone "asks" you to do something, you usually have a choice: You can do it or not do it. When someone "demands" that you do something you might not be able to refuse.

And now, I will ask you to do something. Please send your questions about English to us by email: [email protected].

And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.

Words in This Story

review – n. an act of carefully looking at or examining the quality or condition of something or someone

shopping – n. the activity of visiting places where goods are sold in order to look at and buy things such as food and clothing

1 noun   

n.名词

参考例句：

• What kind of noun is this?这是哪类名词？
• This word is a collective noun.这个词是个集体名词。

2 supervisor   

n.监督人，管理人，检查员，督学，主管，导师

参考例句：

• Between you and me I think that new supervisor is a twit.我们私下说，我认为新来的主管人是一个傻瓜。
• He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.他说我太轻浮不能成为一名好的管理员。

3 employer   

n.雇用方，雇主

参考例句：

• My employer deducted ten pounds from my wages this week.我的雇主从我本周的工钱中扣除了十英镑。
• His monthly salary is paid into the bank by his employer.他的月薪由雇主替他存入银行。

4 identification   

n.视为同一，证明同一，确认

参考例句：

• He's made a formal identification of the body.他正式确认了死者身份。
• We should have identification card on the person when we go out.我们外出时应随身携带身份证。

5 plural   

n.复数；复数形式；adj.复数的

参考例句：

• Most plural nouns in English end in's '.英语的复数名词多以s结尾。
• Here you should use plural pronoun.这里你应该用复数代词。

6 governor   

n.统治者，地方长官(如省长，州长，总督等)

参考例句：

• The governor was an expert at fencing with reporters.这位州长是搪塞新闻记者的能手。
• He was elected governor of the state of California.他当选为加州州长。

7 delivery   

n.交付；投递；分娩；解救者；演讲的风格

参考例句：

• The strike caused a great delay in the delivery of the mail.这次罢工严重地延误了邮件的投递。
• He was employed at the local grocery store as a delivery boy.他受雇于当地杂货店当送货员。