asked that they would

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked that they would" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a request or expressing a desire for someone to do something in a formal or indirect manner. Example: "She asked that they would consider her proposal before making a final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

As Gabrielsson told the Hay Festival last year: "I asked that people would lose their careers, I asked that they would become sick, and that's what happened.

Independent

But if such a manoeuvre were just a tactic to protect the rest of the licence fee as solely for the BBC's benefit, it is very risky, when a clear majority of people have for some years said – when asked – that they would prefer to replace the licence fee altogether.

The Guardian

I asked that they would never let a day go by that they wouldn't give their loved ones a hug and tell them that you loved them, because you never know when the opportunity won't present itself again.

Forbes

Someone prayed for people back home, and asked that they would know we were where we should be.

Huffington Post

(Sonia, daughter) She was very, very, obviously distressed by the fact that she literally couldn't breathe so I asked that they would kind of suction her chest.

Disability and Rehabilitation

She was very, very, obviously distressed by the fact that she literally couldn't breathe so I asked that they would kind of suction her chest.

Disability and Rehabilitation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They asked if that meant we wouldn't have believed the women if they had been uneducated and jobless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Prayers were said for the family of John Alder, a fellow fan who also died on the doomed flight, asking that they would find peace.

Independent

"What's that," they would ask.

TechCrunch

"'Why do you need so much money now,' they asked, insisting that they would have been ready to provide us with more money eventually, when they decided that we needed it," she says.

The Economist

However, all 3 participants who were asked, stated that they would participate in a future RCT of yoga if invited, which provides some reassurance.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience; this phrase is more suitable for formal writing than casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "asked that they would" in informal conversations or casual writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler phrases like "asked them to" or "asked if they would" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked that they would" functions as a reporting verb construction. It introduces a subordinate clause that expresses a request, wish, or expectation conveyed by someone. It is commonly used to relay what someone has asked of others, as evidenced by the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

42%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asked that they would" serves to report a request or express an expectation in a relatively formal manner. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable. While it appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, it is less common in very formal or informal settings. When choosing this phrase, consider whether a direct request or a softened, reported request is more appropriate for your intended audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested that they should

Replaces "asked" with a more formal synonym, while slightly altering the auxiliary verb.

requested that they will

Substitutes "asked" with "requested" and changes the modal verb to "will", indicating a future action.

asked if they would

Simplifies the structure by replacing "asked that" with "asked if", focusing on inquiry rather than a direct request.

inquired whether they would

Uses a more formal verb "inquired" and "whether" instead of "that", maintaining the sense of a question.

asked them to

A more direct and concise way of phrasing the request, removing the subordinate clause.

requested them to

A more direct and concise way of phrasing the request, removing the subordinate clause and using a more formal term.

made a request for them to

Emphasizes the act of making a request, slightly altering the focus.

expressed a desire for them to

Highlights the expression of a wish, changing the nuance from a direct request to a stated preference.

suggested they might

Softens the request by using a suggestion instead of a direct ask.

wished for them to

Indicates a desire or wish, shifting the focus to the speaker's longing.

FAQs

How can I use "asked that they would" in a sentence?

You can use "asked that they would" to express a request or expectation in a formal way, as in "She "asked that they would" consider her proposal carefully".

What's a more concise alternative to "asked that they would"?

A more concise alternative is to use "asked them to", which is more direct and less formal. For example, instead of "He asked that they would be quiet", you can say "He asked them to be quiet".

Is "asked that they should" grammatically equivalent to "asked that they would"?

While both are grammatically correct, "asked that they would" is generally preferred in modern English. "Asked that they should" can sound slightly archaic. If unsure, "asked that they would" is a safer choice.

When is it appropriate to use "asked that they would" instead of "requested"?

While "requested" is often more formal, ""asked that they would"" can be used when you want to emphasize the act of asking rather than simply making a request. The choice depends on the desired nuance and context.