are being asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being asked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where someone is currently requesting information or action from another person or group. Example: "The students are being asked to submit their assignments by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Already, hard questions are being asked.

The New York Times

Now, of course, questions are being asked.

The Economist

Still, questions are being asked.

The New York Times - Sports

But questions are being asked.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thus the "what-ifs" are being asked.

The Guardian - Money

We are being asked to give discounts".

The New York Times - Style

People are being asked the wrong question.

The Guardian - Opinion

Q: People are being asked to do more with less.

The Guardian

Those are the questions that are being asked.

The New York Times - Sports

Too many questions are being asked these days.

The New Yorker

People are being asked to register at ivaluethearts.org.uk.uk

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being asked", ensure the context clearly indicates who is asking and who is being asked. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the parties involved.

Common error

Overusing passive voice can make your writing vague and less engaging. While "are being asked" is a valid passive construction, consider active alternatives when appropriate to make your sentences more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being asked" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being requested or questioned. It is used to describe situations where requests, questions, or expectations are directed towards a group or individual. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being asked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to indicate that a subject is the recipient of a request, question, or expectation. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral tone suitable for professional communication. To enhance clarity, specify the parties involved in the request and balance passive constructions with active voice where possible. Alternatives such as "are requested" or "are invited to" can provide stylistic variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are requested

Uses a more formal and direct verb to indicate a request.

are required

Indicates a mandatory action rather than a request.

are invited to

Suggests a polite and optional invitation to do something.

are prompted to

Implies that something has initiated or encouraged a request.

are called upon to

Emphasizes a duty or formal expectation.

are solicited to

Indicates a formal or business-like request, often for something specific.

are encouraged to

Suggests that an action is recommended but not compulsory.

are expected to

Indicates a presumed or anticipated action.

are under obligation to

Implies that someone must do something because of a rule, law, agreement etc.

are compelled to

Implies force or necessity.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "are being asked"?

You can use alternatives like "are requested", "are invited to", or "are required" depending on the context.

How do I use "are being asked" in a sentence?

Use "are being asked" to indicate a request or expectation placed upon someone by another party. For example: "The students are being asked to complete the assignment by Friday."

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "are being asked"?

While "are being asked" is a passive construction, consider active alternatives for more direct sentences. For instance, instead of "The participants are being asked to provide feedback", you could say "We ask participants to provide feedback".

Which is correct, "are being asked" or "have been asked"?

"Are being asked" refers to an ongoing or current request, while "have been asked" refers to a request made at some point in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the request.