asker

An asker is a person who asks questions or makes inquiries. The term is used across contexts such as everyday conversation, journalism, academia, and market research. In a Q&A session or interview, the asker is the person who poses the questions, while others provide responses. In a classroom, a student may sometimes be described as the asker when they pose a question to the teacher, though the teacher may also be the one asking questions.

Etymology and usage: The noun "asker" is formed from the verb "ask" plus the agent suffix "-er." It is a straightforward descriptor and is often interchangeable with "questioner" or "inquirer" depending on formality and nuance. In surveys and polls, the term "asker" is commonly used in documentation to designate the party that administers questions (the questionnaire sponsor). The word is gender-neutral and widely understood in English-speaking contexts, though in some settings "interviewer" or "questioner" may be preferred for clarity.

In practice, the role of the asker is linked to information gathering and clarification. The effectiveness of an asker's questions can influence the quality of the responses and the overall outcome of the interaction. While "asker" is a valid term, many contexts favor more specific labels such as "interviewer," "questioner," or "predicator" depending on the situation and the nature of the questions. See also questioner, interviewer, inquirer, respondent.