as they asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they asked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a request or instruction that was made by someone else. Example: "I completed the project as they asked, ensuring all their specifications were met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They were very animated about helping so I will do as they asked".

The Guardian - Sport

They stared hard into his face as they asked if he'd heard about the abuse.

The New York Times

Color and Johnson faced several hurdles as they asked a private religious institution to help solve a public agency's problem.

Harvard University

"The two of them continued to press on as they asked me several business-related questions.

The New York Times

Doctors said Alexis looked alert and aware of his surroundings as they asked him routine questions.

The Guardian

You didn't question what they wanted, you did as they asked without question and the punishments were very severe".

Independent

Nazir and Pervaiz were courteous as they asked him to reveal his sources for the Baradar story.

The New Yorker

Two sleazy men couldn't hide their glee as they asked her to strip and touch her breasts.

The Guardian - Opinion

To many it seemed incredible that the powerful oil executives could not get their drivers to do as they asked.

The Guardian - Business

"He stood there with my brothers as they asked them to let our cattle go," she said.

The Guardian

So as soon as they asked me, I said, 'Well, why not?' " The song wasn't bad, anyway, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the pronoun "they" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. The reader should easily understand who made the request.

Common error

Avoid using "as they asked" if it's unclear who "they" refers to. Always ensure the antecedent of "they" is explicitly stated or easily understood from the context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they asked" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the manner in which an action was performed. It clarifies that the action was done in accordance with someone else's request or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they asked" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to attribute an action to someone else's request. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the antecedent of "they" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "as they requested" or "as instructed" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "as they asked" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they requested

Replaces "asked" with the more formal "requested".

as they directed

Substitutes "asked" with "directed", implying a more authoritative instruction.

doing as they instructed

Focuses on the action of following directions rather than the asking itself.

according to their instructions

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey compliance with specific directions.

in compliance with their wishes

Highlights the element of desire or preference in the request.

following their guidance

Highlights the advisory aspect of the request.

in accordance with their demand

Emphasizes the forceful nature of the request using "demand".

conforming to their specifications

Emphasizes adherence to technical or precise requirements.

in response to their call

Indicates a reaction to a summons or appeal.

pursuant to their inquiry

Uses more legalistic language.

FAQs

How can I use "as they asked" in a sentence?

You can use "as they asked" to show compliance with a request or instruction. For example, "I submitted the report "as they asked", ensuring all the data was included."

What are some alternatives to "as they asked"?

Alternatives include "as they requested", "as instructed", or "following their directions". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is there a difference between "as they asked" and "as they requested"?

"As they requested" is generally more formal than "as they asked". While both indicate compliance with a directive, "requested" implies a higher degree of politeness or formality than "as they asked".

When is it appropriate to use "as they asked"?

Use "as they asked" when you want to clearly attribute an action or decision to someone else's request. It's suitable for various contexts, but ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. If you are referring to legal context then you can also use the equivalent as they stipulated