We already asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We already asked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a question or request has previously been made, often in response to someone asking if a question has been posed. Example: "Before we proceed with the meeting, I want to remind everyone that we already asked for feedback on the project last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Environmental Sciences Europe

Vice

Unicef

The Guardian

The New York Times

BBC

EU Parlament

TechCrunch

Independent

Huffington Post

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We already asked for contributions focusing on the first experiences of certain stakeholders (Authorities, CEFIC, NGOs, Members of ECHAs Committees), and specific issues like nanomaterials, pbt-substances, or endocrine disruptors.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Don't bother testing that one out: we already asked Mark and he said he's tried it and a cane toad high is shit.

Vice

To prevent them from boredom, we already asked them to do some "vox-pops", ad hoc interviews, in the streets of Skopje.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We already ask the navy to do too much with too little, as far apart as the south Atlantic and the Gulf.

The Guardian - Opinion

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "We already ask that people prove who they are in order to collect a parcel from the post office, rent a car, or travel abroad.

The Guardian

"We do have concerns, which is why we've already asked state agencies to curtail their spending by a minimum of 5percentt," said Joseph Conway, Mr. Pataki's spokesman.

The New York Times

"We've waited for two years for action," he said, "and now all we have are recommendations that merely regurgitate what we have already asked for".

The New York Times

"We've already asked them to accept some really difficult changes and we felt losing sick pay was a step too far".

BBC

We had already asked a few questions on behalf of the Commission, but we would have preferred to have wrapped up the whole business with the digital journey recorder as long ago as August 2004.

EU Parlament

I know we've already asked a lot from our readers with the UCSF Children's Hospital, but we're asking again.

TechCrunch

We've already asked our brave men and women in uniform to risk their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "We already asked" to politely remind someone that a request or question has been made previously, avoiding repetition and directing attention to existing information or actions. Always clarify when the request or question was made to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "We already asked" without providing specific context or details about the request. Failing to specify when the request was made can lead to confusion or frustration, as others may not remember the specific instance or understand its relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "We already asked" functions as a declarative statement used to indicate that a question, request, or inquiry has been made at some prior point in time. It is used to avoid repetition or to remind the listener of a previous interaction. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is generally considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "We already asked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for reminding someone of a previous inquiry or request. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable across various contexts, considering more formal alternatives is advisable in professional settings. Common usage involves providing context and avoiding oversimplification to ensure clarity. It serves to inform and prompt action based on a prior interaction, fitting into a neutral register. It is advisable to provide the date and method in which the asking occurred for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

We had asked that already

Simple substitution of "We already asked"

We previously inquired

Formal synonym, emphasizing the inquiry happened at an earlier time.

We have requested this before

Rephrases the request, highlighting that it's not a new matter.

We've posed this question earlier

Focuses on asking a question rather than making a request.

This was previously requested by us

Passive voice, emphasizing the action rather than the actor.

We brought this up before

Less formal, implying the topic was introduced in the past.

We had already inquired about that

Adds specificity, focusing on a particular topic or subject.

We’ve mentioned this previously

Emphasizes a prior mention, rather than a direct question.

This has already been addressed by us

Highlights that the matter received attention in the past.

We made that request earlier

Reiterates the making of a request.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "We already asked"?

You can use alternatives like "we previously inquired", "we have requested this before", or "we've posed this question earlier" depending on the context.

How do I use "We already asked" in a sentence?

You can use "We already asked" to politely remind someone that a request or question has been made previously. For example, "We already asked for the report, so it should be available soon" or "We already asked about the budget, but haven't received a response yet."

Is it appropriate to use "We already asked" in formal communication?

Yes, "We already asked" is generally acceptable in formal communication. However, consider more formal alternatives such as "we previously inquired" or "we have already requested" for a more polished tone.

What is the best way to follow up after saying "We already asked"?

After stating "We already asked", provide specific details about the prior request, such as the date, method of communication, and the expected outcome. This helps to avoid ambiguity and prompts a more effective response. For instance, "We already asked for the data on July 15th via email; could you please provide an update?"