[General] ask sb to help vs ask sb for help

[kompstar]

Hello.

Are the both sentences below correct? If "yes", is there any big difference in meaning between them?

1. He was a little sharp with me when I asked him to help.

2. He was a little sharp with me when I asked him for help.

 

[Raymott]

No, though one or the other might be more natural in a specific situation. It wouldn't be an error large enough to worry about.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes. No.

 

[Raymott]

Yes, I meant 'No' to "Is there any big difference in meaning between them?"

 

[probus]

Hello.

Are the both sentences below correct? If "yes", is there any big difference in meaning between them?

1. He was a little sharp with me when I asked him to help.

2. He was a little sharp with me when I asked him for help.

To me there is a very small and subtle distiction. If I ask someone for help, I am probably expecting the help to come directly to me in the form of advice, financial support or whatever. But if I ask someone to help, it leaves open the possibility that the help may be invisible to me. It may be in the form of political or business connections which the helper needs to keep confidential in order to preserve their effectiveness.

 

[Raymott]

Yes, there is no doubt that there are very small and subtle distinctions (especially in usage, but not necessarily in meaning), but these small differences do not constitute big differences.