asked for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked for him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone made a request for someone else, usually in the form of a question. For example, "The boss asked for him to come in early the next day".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He asked for him".

The New Yorker

"The prosecutor even asked for him to be cleared.

Independent

I continuously asked for him to make his numbers visible.

The Guardian

"Hello," he said, to someone who asked for him.

The New York Times

No one asked for him to explain how he would pay for those things.

The Guardian

After a while I got through to the university and asked for him.

The Guardian - Music

She asked for him to be fostered while she finished her studies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Iraqi officials asked for him to be turned over in early September, but American officials refused.

The New York Times

US authorities have asked for him to be extradited in order to face the charges.

The Guardian - Sport

"First of all, Roma will not sell Vucinic and second Real Madrid have never asked for him," he claimed.

Independent

So we reiterated that which was on the tapes and then we asked for him to take appropriate action".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "asked for him" when you want to indicate that someone specifically requested to speak with or see a particular person. This phrase is suitable for both direct and indirect speech.

Common error

Avoid using "asked for him" when you actually mean "asked him to do something". "Asked for him" indicates a request to see or speak with someone, while "asked him to" implies a request for someone to perform an action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked for him" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a request or inquiry for a specific person. This construction commonly appears in narratives and dialogues, as Ludwig demonstrates, where a character seeks another person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asked for him" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a request to see or speak with a specific person. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the News & Media category. When using this phrase, ensure it is not confused with similar phrases like "asked him to", which implies a request for action rather than presence. This distinction, along with the provided examples and alternative phrasing options, can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested to speak with him

Specifically indicates a desire for a conversation with the person.

requested his presence

Replaces "asked" with a more formal term and emphasizes the act of summoning someone.

wanted to talk to him

A more informal way of expressing the desire for a conversation.

inquired about him

Focuses on the act of seeking information about the person, rather than directly requesting their presence.

made inquiries about him

A more formal way of saying "inquired about him".

called for him

Implies a demand or urgent need for the person.

sought him out

Suggests a more active search or effort to find the person.

demanded his presence

Conveys a stronger sense of authority and insistence.

summoned him

A formal and authoritative term for requesting someone's presence.

looked for him

Focuses on the act of searching or trying to locate the person.

FAQs

How can I use "asked for him" in a sentence?

You can use "asked for him" to indicate that someone requested to see or speak with a specific person. For example, "The manager "asked for him" to come to his office immediately".

What's the difference between "asked for him" and "asked about him"?

"Asked for him" means someone requested to see or speak to a specific person. "Asked about him" means someone inquired about the person's well-being, whereabouts, or other information.

Is it correct to say "asked for he" instead of "asked for him"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrase is "asked for him", using the objective pronoun "him" rather than the subjective pronoun "he".

What are some alternatives to "asked for him"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "requested his presence", "inquired about him", or "called for him".