区别辨析ask、demand、inquire与question

这些动词均含有“问,询问”之意。

ask :最普通用词,可与demand, inquire和question换用,但ask用于口语中,指提出问题让人回答。

  • He asked about her family.
    他询问了她的家庭情况。

demand :指根据自己的权利、职责或身份认为有必要弄清情况而正式发问,常隐含命令对方回答的意味。

  • She demanded an immediate explanation.
    她强烈要求立即作出解释。

inquire :较正式用词,指为得到真实情况而详细询问或调查了解。

  • He inquired whether there had been any messages for him.
    他询问是否有留给他的口信。
  • He went to the hospital to inquire about her.
    他到医院去打听她的情况。

question :指因感到可疑或为了解情况,弄清究竟而发问,有时指一连串的发问。

  • She was arrested and questioned about the fire.
    她被拘留讯问有关火灾的事情。
  • This led the therapist to question Jim about his parents and their marriage.
    这让治疗专家问起了吉姆有关他父母及他们婚姻的情况。