ask vs ask for

ask and ask for both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
ask	No	No	Yes	No
ask for	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, ask for is a hypernym of ask; that is, ask for is a word with a broader meaning than ask:

Other hypernyms of ask include bespeak, call for, quest, request.

As verbs, ask for is a hypernym of ask; that is, ask for is a word with a broader meaning than ask:

Other hypernyms of ask include bespeak, call for, quest, request.

ask (verb)	ask for (verb)
make a request or demand for something to somebody	express the need or desire for
direct or put; seek an answer to	increase the likelihood of
address a question to and expect an answer from
consider obligatory; request and expect
require or ask for as a price or condition
make a date
require as useful, just, or proper