ask vs formulate

ask and formulate both are verbs.

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

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

Other hypernyms of ask include articulate, give voice, phrase, word.

ask (verb)	formulate (verb)
make a request or demand for something to somebody	put into words or an expression
direct or put; seek an answer to	elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
address a question to and expect an answer from	come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
consider obligatory; request and expect	prepare according to a formula
require or ask for as a price or condition
make a date
require as useful, just, or proper