asked for assistance

USAGE SUMMARY

"asked for assistance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone requesting help or advice from another person or institution. For example: "I asked for assistance from the local community center in order to find housing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the meantime, Herrera is gathering documents in L.A. to assist his case and has asked for assistance from the Mexican and U.S. consulates to expedite the transfer.

Los Angeles Times

He asked for assistance reaching them.

The New Yorker

The organization asked for assistance understanding the adversary's deception techniques.

Harvard Business Review

So I e-mailed Donald McLeod, a Medicare spokesman, and asked for assistance.

The New York Times

When Isis did surge in, Baghdad called and desperately asked for assistance.

The Guardian

"He asked for assistance, he agreed to repay the money and he did," Hunter said.

The New York Times - Sports

But firefighters called Consolidated Edison and asked for assistance in a rescue operation.

The New York Times

By the time the U.S. delegation departed, no Egyptian pro-democracy organizations had asked for assistance.

The Washington Post

Failing to find what I wanted, I asked for assistance from a couple of people who looked like CVS workers.

The Economist

Last night Mr Paterson said Somerset County Council had only asked for assistance "for the first time today".

Independent

That said, struggling Mitsubishi has asked for assistance in paying workers on short time, as has Mazda.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using synonyms like "requested assistance" or "sought aid" for a more sophisticated tone. The phrase "asked for assistance" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, but varying your language can improve readability and prevent repetition.

Common error

Ensure clarity in your requests by specifying the type of assistance needed. Instead of a general "asked for assistance", be specific: "asked for technical assistance", "asked for financial assistance", or "asked for assistance with data analysis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked for assistance" functions as a verb phrase indicating a request for help or support. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from seeking technical expertise to requesting aid in emergency situations. The phrase is active and directly conveys the action of seeking help.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "asked for assistance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for expressing a request for help or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatile usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news and media, academic writing, and scientific reports. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, synonyms like "requested help" or "sought aid" may be preferred in more formal environments. Remember to be specific when using the phrase to ensure clarity in your requests.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested help

Emphasizes a more formal or official request.

required aid

Indicates that assistance was necessary or essential.

sought aid

Implies a more urgent or critical need for help.

reached out for support

Emphasizes the action of contacting someone for help.

enlisted support

Suggests a collaborative effort or a call for active participation.

inquired for guidance

Specifically seeks direction or advice.

solicited support

Suggests actively seeking backing from various sources.

appealed for help

Highlights the act of making a plea or urgent request.

petitioned for assistance

A formal appeal, often to an authority.

called for backup

Often used in emergency situations, signifying an urgent need for additional resources.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "asked for assistance"?

You can use alternatives like "requested help", "sought aid", or "enlisted support" depending on the context.

How do I use "asked for assistance" in a sentence?

You can use "asked for assistance" to describe someone requesting help, for example: "The organization asked for assistance understanding the adversary's deception techniques".

Is "asked for assistance" formal or informal?

"Asked for assistance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "requested assistance" might be preferred in professional settings.

When is it appropriate to use "asked for assistance"?

It is appropriate to use "asked for assistance" whenever someone is seeking help or support from another person or entity. Ensure clarity in your request by specifying the type of assistance needed.