formulate vs ask

formulate and ask both are verbs.

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

As verbs, ask is a hyponym of formulate; that is, ask is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than formulate:

Other hyponyms of formulate include lexicalise, lexicalize, dogmatise, dogmatize, formularise, formularize, cast, couch, frame, put, redact.

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