akin to asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "akin to asking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to draw a comparison between two actions or concepts, indicating that one is similar to the other. Example: "Saying that you should just try harder is akin to asking someone to jump higher without any training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The question is akin to asking which child we love more.

The New York Times

Otherwise, it's akin to asking someone to officiate a football game wearing a blindfold.

The New York Times

It's akin to asking the character actor Steve Buscemi to carry a big-budget movie.

The New York Times - Sports

However, in a conservative society such as Pakistan, that is akin to asking for the moon.

The Guardian

This is akin to asking the wolf to stand guard over the chicken coop.

The Guardian

Her Googling, however, was akin to asking her friends about this fellow -- offhand, sociable and benign.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is akin to asking Billy Joel to open for Coldplay, but Lemieux is not complaining.

The New York Times - Sports

With the current price of the vegetable, that would be akin to asking the neighbor for their family jewels.

The New York Times

"Taking a massive £70m out of a small and fragile acute hospital is akin to asking the impossible," he said.

The Guardian

Even if, in reality, that is akin to asking political analysts to criticise David Cameron but not the Conservative party.

The Guardian - Sport

Michael Mansfield The question is akin to asking whether there will ever be a non-racist society.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "akin to asking" to draw parallels between two seemingly different scenarios, highlighting an unexpected similarity or equivalence. This can add depth and insight to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "akin to asking" in highly informal contexts, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Choose simpler, more direct comparisons for casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "akin to asking" functions as a prepositional phrase used to introduce an analogy or comparison. It indicates that the action being described is similar or equivalent to asking something, often highlighting the absurdity or inappropriateness of the initial action. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and widespread use of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "akin to asking" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to draw comparisons and analogies across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and widely accepted, particularly in news and media, as well as formal and business communications. It serves to equate scenarios, often emphasizing a point or conveying disbelief. While common, it's best to avoid it in very informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more suitable. Remember that using it appropriately enhances clarity and depth in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to requesting

Replaces "asking" with "requesting", implying a slightly more formal tone.

akin to posing a question

Focuses on the action of posing a question, retaining the core comparison meaning with a slight shift in focus.

comparable to inquiring

Uses "comparable" instead of "akin", and "inquiring" instead of "asking", resulting in a more formal tone.

tantamount to questioning

Substitutes the entire phrase with "tantamount to questioning", emphasizing equivalence in effect or value.

like posing the question

Replaces "akin to asking" with a more direct comparison using "like posing the question".

analogous to soliciting

Employs "analogous" and "soliciting", conveying a sense of seeking or requesting something.

equivalent to demanding

Uses "equivalent to demanding" to suggest a stronger, more forceful comparison.

much the same as wondering

This alternative uses "much the same as wondering", which has a slightly more casual tone.

on a par with prompting

Employs "on a par with prompting" to suggest the actions are equivalent in effect, but uses a slightly different verb.

bears resemblance to querying

Uses a more elaborate structure, where similarity is expressed as a resemblance, and asking is changed to querying.

FAQs

How can I use "akin to asking" in a sentence?

The phrase "akin to asking" is used to draw a comparison between two actions or situations, suggesting they are similar in some way. For example: "To expect them to share is "akin to asking" Maryland to share its lottery proceeds with New York state."

What can I say instead of "akin to asking"?

You can use alternatives like "similar to requesting", "comparable to inquiring", or "like posing the question" depending on the context.

Is "akin to ask" grammatically correct?

No, the correct form is "akin to asking". The preposition "to" requires a gerund (the -ing form of the verb) in this construction.

What's the difference between "akin to asking" and "similar to asking"?

While both phrases express a comparison, "akin to asking" often implies a more nuanced or insightful parallel. "Similar to asking" is a more direct and straightforward comparison, whereas "akin to asking" can suggest a deeper, less obvious connection.