Ask for one thing / Ask one thing (Which one is correct?)
I would like to know which form I should use "to ask FOR one thing" or "to ask for one thing" when I want to convey the meaning of requesting something. My confusion is because I have seen people use those two expressions. Something makes me think that the form using "FOR" should be the only correct, but I am not sure.

Examples:
1.a. The only thing I ask FOR is...
1.b. The only thing I ask is...

2.a. Laura, I would like to ask you FOR one thing, be my girl.
2.b. Laura, I would like to ask you one thing, be my girl.

Question

Ask for one thing / Ask one thing (Which one is correct?)
I would like to know which form I should use "to ask FOR one thing" or "to ask for one thing" when I want to convey the meaning of requesting something. My confusion is because I have seen people use those two expressions. Something makes me think that the form using "FOR" should be the only correct, but I am not sure.

Examples:
1.a. The only thing I ask FOR is...
1.b. The only thing I ask is...

2.a. Laura, I would like to ask you FOR one thing, be my girl.
2.b. Laura, I would like to ask you one thing, be my girl.

Answer

I think you can do either. Personally, I would say "Laura can I ask you one thing, will you be my girl?" That sound much much much more natural than "Laura can I ask you one thing, be my girl?" FOR implies a favor, asking for something implies a question.

I hope this helps. If Laura is a real person, Good Luck!!

Answer

Ask one thing is to ask for information.  "I want to ask George one thing,  did he take my pen?"

Ask FOR a thing is to ask for an object or an action.  "I want to ask George for one thing,  I want his pen."  "I only want to ask George for one thing,  that he stop taking my pen.

Ojalá que te ayude,

Kurt

Answer

Excellent! Thanks, Sam.

Answer

Both are correct and you can use both, but they have slightly different connotations.  If you say:  "I would like to ask you FOR something", that usually implies that you are asking for a thing or for a favor.  If you say: "I would like to ask you something", that usually implies that you are asking a question.  In this case you can use both because 2.a. implies that you are asking her for a favor/thing (to be your girl), and 2.b. implies that you are asking her a question (if she will be your girl).  Hope this helps.