asked

USAGE SUMMARY

'asked' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as both a verb (to request information) or an adjective (sought after). For example, "The teacher asked the students to turn in their homework on time." or "The artist's asked painting sold for a high price at the auction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, said photographs from North Korea showing a rocket launched from the sea appeared to be authentic.

The Guardian

Asked if she expected Ukip to run have Labour so close, she said: "To be honest with you I have been through more or less every scenario.

The Guardian

"Why?" I asked.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I believe I may have sent through a form to request for a meeting, yes," she said when asked if di Girolamo tried to meet O'Farrell.

The Guardian

Asked if the meeting ever happened, Pittendrigh replied: "I don't think so, I know it was quite hard to get in to see him".

The Guardian

"I can only assume it's a mistake," George said, when asked why flights to Queensland were approved as expenses to be charged to Sydney Water.

The Guardian

"Do you not have a heavy burden of justification to show authorisation under the constitution?" he asked the US solicitor-general, Donald Verrilli, who was defending the law.

The Guardian

Chope asked Cameron in the first question at prime minister's questions: "Can [he] say in response to the many concerns expressed in yesterday's debate will he ensure that civil partnerships are open to heterosexual couples on an equal basis with homosexual couples?" The prime minister replied: "I will obviously listen carefully to what he says.

The Guardian

When asked who was coming after Schott, Costa replied: "He did mention it was someone on the central coast and I dismissed it, to be honest".

The Guardian

He said Kelly "did not agree" with the original minute and, when asked what comment Kelly had made when he was shown the original, Brown replied: "None, I don't think … It was obviously a minute prepared by someone who didn't have a lot of experience in writing cabinet minutes.

The Guardian

The term "nervous" is on every rider and manager's lips when asked to describe the demands of the early phase of the race, but what they mean is more complex than a few shivers of anticipation at the prospect of a tricky bit of road or two.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, specify who "asked" and to whom the question was directed. For example, "The reporter asked the senator" instead of simply "The senator was asked".

Common error

Avoid using "asked" incorrectly in indirect questions. For example, instead of saying "He asked did I go", use "He asked if I went".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "asked" is a verb in the past tense. It is used to describe the action of posing a question or making a request. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in reporting direct and indirect speech.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "asked" is the past tense form of the verb 'ask', denoting the act of posing a question or making a request. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, its neutral register allows for use in both formal and informal settings, although more formal synonyms like "inquired" may be preferable in certain situations. Ludwig's analysis of example sentences highlights its versatility and common usage, making it a fundamental component of English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inquired

Implies a more formal or thorough investigation through questioning.

queried

Suggests a direct and often official questioning.

posed the question

Emphasizes the act of presenting a question for consideration.

sought clarification

Focuses on seeking a clearer understanding through questioning.

requested information

Highlights the formal act of seeking specific details or data.

put forward

Indicates introducing a question or topic for discussion.

investigated

Suggests a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine facts.

demanded

Implies a firm request, often with an expectation of compliance.

interviewed

Implies asking questions in the context of a formal interview setting.

interrogated

Suggests intense and thorough questioning, often in a formal investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "asked" in a sentence?

You can use "asked" to report a question someone posed, as in, "She "asked" about the weather" or "They "asked" for directions".

What are some alternatives to using "asked"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "asked" with synonyms such as "inquired", "queried", or "requested".

Which is correct, "He asked me did I go?" or "He asked me if I went?"

The correct sentence is "He "asked me if I went"". The former is a common error when forming indirect questions.

What's the difference between "asked" and "requested"?

"Asked" generally refers to seeking information, while "requested" typically implies seeking something tangible or a specific action. For example, "He "asked" about the schedule", but "He "requested" a copy of the report".