ask、demand、inquire与question这些动词均含有“问、询问”之意。
ask ：最普通用词，可与demand, inquire和question换用，但ask用于口语中，指提出问题让人回答。
- He asked about her family.
他询问了她的家庭情况。
demand ：指根据自己的权利、职责或身份认为有必要弄清情况而正式发问，常隐含命令对方回答的意味。
- She demanded an immediate explanation.
她强烈要求立即作出解释。
inquire ：较正式用词，指为得到真实情况而详细询问或调查了解。
- He inquired whether there had been any messages for him.
他询问是否有留给他的口信。 - He went to the hospital to inquire about her.
他到医院去打听她的情况。
question ：指因感到可疑或为了解情况，弄清究竟而发问，有时指一连串的发问。
- She was arrested and questioned about the fire.
她被拘留讯问有关火灾的事情。 - This led the therapist to question Jim about his parents and their marriage.
这让治疗专家问起了吉姆有关他父母及他们婚姻的情况。
