asking it to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asking it to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a request or demand directed towards an object or entity. Example: "I am asking it to provide the necessary information for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He said he has written to the board asking it to reconsider its compensatory-time practices.

The New York Times

Senator Al Franken today sent a letter to Lyft asking it to detail its privacy practices.

TechCrunch

Moveon.org is asking owners of the Prius to send photos to Toyota asking it to resign its membership.

Huffington Post

But the government sent its report back, asking it to include data about informal income earned by the unemployed.

The Economist

He wrote a letter to the club asking it to increase the diversity of its membership around 1995.

The New York Times

Lincoln acted while Congress was in recess, asking it to legislate the suspension on its return — which it did.

The New York Times

Apple couches this order as the government asking it to create a backdoor into its software.

TechCrunch

But we're not asking it to.

The New York Times

Midfielder Clint Dempsey likes the ball and is thinking of asking it to go steady.

The New York Times - Sports

Representations have in fact been made to the court, asking it to investigate.

The New York Times

However, St . Judesaid that the government was not asking it to recall any products.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required. "Asking it to" is generally neutral but can be replaced with more formal options like "requesting it to" in official documents.

Common error

Avoid using "asking it to" when the subject performing the action is unclear or implied. Always make sure the antecedent of 'it' is explicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asking it to" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a verbal, followed by an object pronoun and an infinitive marker. It introduces a request or instruction directed towards a specific entity. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating its diverse usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asking it to" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey a request or instruction aimed at a specific entity. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and encyclopedic sources. While generally neutral in tone, alternative phrases such as "requesting it to" or "directing it to" might be more appropriate in formal settings. Remember to ensure clarity regarding the referent of 'it' to avoid ambiguity. Overall, "asking it to" is a valuable and easily understood tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requesting it to

This alternative is a more formal synonym, implying a polite but firm request.

petitioning it to

This alternative suggests a formal and often written request, often used in legal or official contexts.

urging it to

This alternative implies a strong and insistent request, often in situations of importance or urgency.

prompting it to

This alternative suggests initiating an action or response, rather than a direct request.

inviting it to

This alternative conveys a more gentle and encouraging suggestion.

directing it to

This alternative implies giving instructions or orders, often in a professional or hierarchical context.

tasking it with

This alternative means assigning a specific job or responsibility.

authorizing it to

This alternative means giving the permission or power to do something.

enabling it to

This alternative focuses on providing the means or opportunity to perform an action.

encouraging it to

This alternative suggests giving support or motivation to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "asking it to" in a sentence?

You can use "asking it to" to express a request or instruction directed at an entity. For example, "The organization is encouraging people to write letters to Unilever "asking it to" "ax the Axe campaign"."

What's a more formal alternative to "asking it to"?

If you're looking for a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "requesting it to" or "directing it to" depending on the context.

What does "asking it to" imply?

"Asking it to" implies a request or instruction. The specific nuance depends on the verb you pair it with, but it always suggests that someone is seeking action from another entity.

How does "asking it to" differ from "telling it to"?

"Asking it to" implies a request, suggesting that the entity has a choice. "Telling it to", however, implies an order or command, leaving the entity with no option. It depends on the nature of the request and the relationship of the parties.