Can I write: "Ask a question to somebody"?
CONTEXT
I have a Q&A site with a call to action button labeled "Ask a question".
I need to clarify who will be the recipients of the question adding the following text near the button: "[ASK A QUESTION] to 3 people with the same interest".
You can see here a mockup: h ttp://o7.no/K6ZrQk
QUESTION
Is it correct? If not, can you suggest me a good alternative?
Thanks
Re: Can I write: "Ask a question to somebody"?
You can't 'ask a question to' someone. You could 'ask a question of someone' but that doesn't sound right in this context. You can put or address a question to someone, but what I'd do is label the button Ask a Question and add the text 'Contact three people with the same interest' as a 'tooltip' that appears 'on mouseover', as they say in the trade, ;-)
b
Re: Can I write: "Ask a question to somebody"?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BobK
what I'd do is label the button Ask a Question and add the text 'Contact three people with the same interest' as a 'tooltip' that appears 'on mouseover', as they say in the trade, ;-)
Thanks (precious!). May I also use "Connect with 3 people with the same interest"?
Re: Can I write: "Ask a question to somebody"?
Yes (in this context). I used to feel that this use of 'connect with' was bit uncouth. But 'that ship has sailed' [=it's too late to do anything about it now]. Also, some writers would prefer to avoid those two 'with's.
b