beg
B1Neutral to informal. 'Beg' is neutral in meaning but can sound slightly informal or direct compared to synonyms like 'implore' or 'beseech'. Its use in idioms ('beg the question') is formal/technical.
Definition
Meaning
To ask someone, usually in a humble or emotional way, for something (often food, money, or forgiveness).
To ask earnestly or urgently for something; to evade or avoid a question; in card games, to ask for a card from the stock because you cannot follow suit.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a position of lower status or power, neediness, or desperation. Can carry connotations of humility, subservience, or annoyance depending on context. 'Begging' for a favour is less intense than 'begging' for one's life.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and core meaning are identical. Minor differences in typical phrasing, e.g., a UK speaker might be slightly more likely to use 'beg' in the phrase 'beg your pardon' as a polite apology. The logical fallacy 'beg the question' is used identically in both.
Connotations
Identical connotations of neediness/subservience in the literal sense. The idiom 'beg the question' is more strongly associated with formal/logical argument in the US.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in both varieties. The literal act of begging (for money) is a common concept globally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] beg [O] (e.g., He begged forgiveness.)[S] beg [IO] for [DO] (e.g., She begged him for a chance.)[S] beg [O] to-inf (e.g., I beg you to reconsider.)[S] beg that-clause (formal) (e.g., He begged that his life be spared.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “beg the question”
- “beg, borrow, or steal”
- “go begging”
- “I beg to differ”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare in formal business. Might appear in desperate negotiations: 'The supplier begged for an extension on the loan.'
Academic
Primarily in the logical/philosophical sense: 'The author's argument unfortunately begs the question.'
Everyday
Common: 'The dog begged for a treat.' 'I beg your pardon?' 'Don't make me beg.'
Technical
In logic/rhetoric: 'begging the question' (petitio principii). In card games (e.g., Euchre): 'I had to beg for a card.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was begging for spare change outside the tube station.
- I beg your pardon, could you repeat that?
- The situation is so dire it begs the question of government intervention.
American English
- She begged him not to leave.
- Don't make me beg for that report, just send it.
- His excuse just begs the question of where he really was.
adjective
British English
- The streets were full of beg letters from charitable organisations. (rare, attributive use)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The hungry cat begged for food.
- I beg your pardon?
- He begged his mother for a new toy.
- She begged her friend to forgive her for being late.
- The prisoner begged the judge for mercy.
- Please don't make me beg for your help.
- The charity's campaign showed images of children begging on the streets.
- His explanation was so circular it effectively begged the question.
- I must beg to differ with your assessment of the situation.
- The defence attorney begged the jury to consider the extenuating circumstances.
- The availability of such advanced technology begs the question: are we developing it responsibly?
- He would go begging, borrowing, or stealing to get the funds for his startup.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a small dog on its hind legs, 'begging' for a biscuit. The word is short, like the quick, hopeful action.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A PHYSICAL PLEA (e.g., 'He begged on his knees.'). DESIRE/NEED IS A HUMBLE PETITION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'просить' in all contexts. 'Просить' is a general 'ask/request', while 'beg' is more emotional/desperate. Use 'ask' or 'request' for neutral situations. The idiom 'beg the question' does NOT mean 'raise the question' (a common false friend).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'beg' for polite, everyday requests (e.g., *'I beg you to pass the salt.'). Overusing in writing where 'plead' or 'implore' might be more precise. Misusing 'beg the question' to mean 'invite the question'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct meaning of the idiom 'beg the question' in a formal, logical context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently rude, but it can sound demanding or emotional. 'I beg you' is intense. 'Beg your pardon' is polite. Context is key.
'Beg' is more general and can be used for objects ('beg for money'). 'Plead' is more intense and often used in legal/emotional contexts ('plead guilty', 'plead for his life').
No, that is a common misuse. In formal logic, 'begging the question' is a circular argument. In modern informal use, many people use it to mean 'invites the question', but this is considered an error by purists.
Yes. 'People were begging in the streets.' 'The dog sat up and begged.' In these cases, the object (money, food) is implied by context.