asked them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone inquired or requested information from a group of people. Example: "During the meeting, I asked them about their opinions on the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She asked them why.

The New York Times

"Haven't even asked them.

Independent

She asked them all?

The New York Times - Books

I've never asked them.

The New York Times

Nobody asked them.

The New York Times

He asked them why.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We asked them to talk.

The New York Times

Dylan never asked them".

The Guardian

"I asked them today.

The Guardian - Sport

I have asked them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Has anybody asked them?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "asked them", ensure the context clearly indicates who "them" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the group or individuals being addressed.

Common error

Avoid vagueness in your writing by making sure the 'them' is clearly defined. Saying "I asked them" without specifying who 'them' are can confuse the reader. For example, instead of "I asked them about the project", try "I asked the team members about the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked them" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "asked" is the verb indicating an act of inquiry and "them" is a pronoun referring to the group being questioned. Ludwig AI confirms that this structure is widely accepted and used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "asked them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase employed to denote the act of posing a question or making a request to a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility is demonstrated by its wide applicability in various contexts, ranging from formal news reports and encyclopedias to scientific publications. Pay attention to clearly identifying who "them" refers to, to avoid ambiguity. By considering suitable alternatives like "inquired of them" or "questioned them", and avoiding common writing errors, you can effectively use "asked them" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inquired of them

A more formal synonym for "asked them", suggesting a careful or official inquiry.

questioned them

Implies a more direct and potentially probing line of questioning.

queried them

Similar to 'questioned', but can also imply a doubt or reservation.

requested from them

Shifts the focus to a formal request rather than a general question.

sought information from them

Highlights the purpose of the asking: to obtain information.

put the question to them

A more literary or formal way of saying "asked them".

canvassed them

Suggests a systematic and thorough asking of many individuals.

interviewed them

Implies a structured and formal questioning session.

consulted them

Indicates that their advice or opinion was sought.

polled them

Implies a structured survey to collect opinions or data.

FAQs

How do I use "asked them" in a sentence?

The phrase "asked them" is used when you want to convey that someone made an inquiry or request to a group of people. For example, "She "asked them why" they chose that option".

What can I say instead of "asked them"?

You can use alternatives like "inquired of them", "questioned them", or "requested from them" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify who "them" refers to when using "asked them"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who "them" refers to greatly improves clarity. In cases where the audience already knows who "them" are, it's acceptable to omit, but it's best practice to define it to avoid confusion.

What's the difference between "asked them" and "told them"?

"Asked them" implies a question or inquiry, seeking information. "Told them" implies conveying information or instructions, not seeking a response.