asked to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a request or instruction given to someone to perform a specific action. Example: "She was asked to submit her report by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He asked to play.

Independent

"Asked to"?

The Guardian

I asked to meet him.

The New Yorker

I asked to be moved.

The New York Times - Travel

Both asked to remain anonymous.

The Economist

Residents asked to stay inside.

Independent

He was asked to elaborate.

The New York Times

Josephine asked to go back.

The New York Times - Travel

Mitchell asked to see it.

The New Yorker

They will be asked to practice.

The New York Times

They were asked to answer a question.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "asked to" when you want to indicate a request or invitation to do something, emphasizing the act of asking rather than demanding.

Common error

Avoid using "asked to" when the situation involves a direct order or command. Instead, consider using verbs like "ordered", "commanded", or "instructed" to accurately reflect the level of authority and expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked to" functions as a verb phrase typically followed by an infinitive, indicating a request or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asked to" is a very common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate a request or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral, it can be used in both formal and informal settings, though it avoids extreme formality. For situations requiring more formal language, alternatives like "requested to" may be more appropriate. Conversely, for situations involving direct orders, verbs like "instructed" or "commanded" are more accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested to

Emphasizes a formal request, often used in professional or official contexts.

invited to

Suggests a more welcoming or social context for the action.

instructed to

Highlights a direct order or command, indicating less choice.

required to

Implies an obligation or necessity to perform the action.

prompted to

Suggests that someone or something encouraged the action.

summoned to

Indicates a formal or official demand to appear or act.

designated to

Highlights that someone was officially appointed or chosen for the action.

authorized to

Implies that someone has the official permission to perform the action.

empowered to

Suggests that someone has been given the power or ability to perform the action.

given leave to

Indicates that permission has been granted, emphasizing the allowance.

FAQs

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

Use "asked to" to show that someone was requested or invited to do something. For example, "The students were asked to submit their assignments by Friday."

What's a formal alternative to "asked to"?

A more formal alternative is "requested to", often used in professional or official contexts. For example, "The applicant was requested to provide additional documentation."

When should I use "instructed to" instead of "asked to"?

"Instructed to" implies a direct order or command, while "asked to" suggests a request. Use "instructed to" when someone is given a specific directive, rather than a polite request.

Is there a difference between "asked to" and "told to"?

"Asked to" indicates a request, suggesting politeness, while "told to" indicates an instruction or order. The nuance lies in the level of authority and politeness conveyed.