asked them to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked them to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone made a request or gave an instruction to a group of people. Example: "She asked them to submit their reports by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We asked them to talk.

The New York Times

Dunn asked them to step outside.

The New Yorker

I've asked them to support us".

Independent

Rivers asked them to shed their egos.

The New York Times - Sports

They asked them to install metal detectors.

The New York Times

The players asked them to stay.

The New York Times

He asked them to turn it down.

The New York Times

He asked them to try anyway.

The New Yorker

He asked them to please post it.

The New Yorker

He asked them to take two tests.

The Economist

He had not asked them to come.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like 'requested', 'urged', or 'instructed' depending on the level of formality and the nature of the request. For instance, use “instructed them to” in a formal business communication to showcase clarity and assertiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "asked them to" in passive constructions where the asker is ambiguous. For example, instead of saying 'They were asked to leave', specify 'The manager asked them to leave' to clarify who made the request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked them to" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate a direct request or instruction given to a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asked them to" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase for expressing requests or instructions. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent occurrence across various contexts, primarily in news and media. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives such as "requested that they" or "told them to" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and directness. Keep in mind the nuances between similar options in order to deliver the most accurate information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested that they

Formal alternative emphasizing a polite or official request.

told them to

Direct alternative indicating a command or instruction.

advised them to

Suggests giving counsel or a recommendation.

urged them to

Implies a strong and persuasive request.

encouraged them to

Indicates a supportive request aimed at motivating action.

enjoined them to

Formal alternative suggesting a legally or morally binding instruction.

needed them to

Expresses necessity or requirement for their action.

invited them to

Suggests a more gentle or suggestive way to ask or encourage some to do something.

expected them to

Implies anticipation or assumption of their action.

tasked them with

Focuses on assigning a specific duty or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "asked them to" in a sentence?

You can use "asked them to" to indicate a request or instruction, like: "The teacher "asked them to" complete the assignment" or "I "asked them to" help with the project".

What can I say instead of "asked them to"?

Alternatives include "requested that they", "told them to", or "urged them to", depending on the level of formality and directness you want to convey.

Is it better to say "asked them to" or "requested that they"?

"Asked them to" is more informal and direct, while "requested that they" is more formal and polite. The better choice depends on the context and your relationship with the people involved.

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

"Asked them to" implies a request, suggesting the individuals have a choice, whereas "told them to" implies a command, indicating they are expected to comply.