after being asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after being asked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred following a request or inquiry. Example: "After being asked about his plans, he decided to share his ideas for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two, after being asked, admitted knowing they were infected.

The New York Times - Health

Ficarra has voluntarily stepped aside after being asked to do so by the premier, Mike Baird.

The Guardian

In fact, bringing a gift after being asked not to strikes me as a bit rude.

The New York Times

"Give me a break, they scored goals," Miller said after being asked how he felt.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, after being asked about the lawyers in question, Mr. Sorkin has finally revealed the answer.

The New York Times

After being asked about it at the end of the conference, he didn't answer the question.

The Washington Post

"Any buildup like that is simply destabilizing," he said after being asked by reporters.

The Washington Post

After being asked about the manifesto, Mr. King responded at length.

The New York Times

After being asked to bat England dealt with the swinging ball badly.

The Guardian - Sport

Bobby Manley, 23, paused for a long while after being asked his opinion of the drink.

The New York Times

The Attorney General had tried to linger after being asked to leave the Oval Office.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after being asked", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the request or inquiry. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "after being asked" without specifying who did the asking. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Always clarify the source of the request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after being asked" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the timing of an action. It introduces a condition that must be met (the asking) before the main action occurs. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase commonly appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after being asked" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurred as a result of a request or inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and academia. When using this phrase, clarity is key, ensuring the subject of the asking is easily identifiable. While many similar phrases exist, such as "following a request" or "in response to the question", "after being asked" offers a versatile and readily understood way to express a sequence of events. The register is typically neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a request

This alternative provides a more concise and formal way of expressing the same idea.

subsequent to the inquiry

This alternative offers a more formal and somewhat legalistic tone.

once prompted

This suggests a more direct and immediate response to the request.

following the prompt

This is similar to "once prompted" but slightly more formal.

in response to the question

This alternative explicitly refers to a question being the trigger for the subsequent action.

upon solicitation

This alternative is more formal and implies a proactive request.

when queried

This is a more concise way to indicate something that happened when someone was questioned.

at someone's behest

This implies that the action was taken because someone requested or ordered it.

pursuant to the invitation

This indicates that the action was performed as a result of an invitation.

once the request was made

This alternative is structurally different, emphasizing the completion of the request.

FAQs

How can I use "after being asked" in a sentence?

Use "after being asked" to indicate an action that occurs following a request or inquiry. For example, "She explained the situation "after being asked" about the project's delay".

What phrases are similar to "after being asked"?

You can use alternatives such as "following a request", "in response to the question", or "once prompted" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify who is doing the asking when using "after being asked"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who is asking clarifies the context and prevents ambiguity. If the asker is obvious from the surrounding text, it may not be necessary.

What's the difference between "after being asked" and "after asking"?

"After being asked" implies a passive role, where someone receives a request. "After asking" implies an active role, where someone makes a request. The correct choice depends on who is initiating the action.