ADV

gently, quietly, softly
'How do you feel?' she asked softly
amiably, conversationally, politely
'Did you sleep well?' , he asked politely
belligerently, crossly, icily, nastily, querulously, sarcastically, slyly, testily
casually, dryly, innocently
'Oh, Sue went too, did she?' I asked innocently (= pretending I did not know that this was important)
curiously, incredulously, pointedly, suspiciously
anxiously, apprehensively, fearfully, solicitously
'Will he be all right?' , Sabrina asked anxiously
legitimately
We can legitimately ask what competence an official based in Whitehall has to solve the problems of rural Scotland
rhetorically

VERB + ASK

long to, want to
She longed to ask Mary if she knew what was wrong. I wanted to ask him a question
dare (to)
I wondered how old she was but I didn't dare ask
forget to
I completely forgot to ask his name

PREP

about
He asked about her family

PHRASES

get asked sth
I often get asked that
if you don't mind me/my asking
How old are you?if you don't mind my asking?

ADV

nicely
If you ask her nicely, she'll give you a sweet

PREP

for
asking for money