be asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be asked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the action of someone receiving a request or question from another person. Example: "You will be asked to provide your feedback during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What will he be asked?

Independent

You have to be asked.

Independent

"I'd rather not be asked".

The New Yorker

"Questions ought to be asked.

Independent

Bloomberg wants to be asked".

The New Yorker

Paula waited to be asked.

The New Yorker

What will people be asked?

Independent

"They like to be asked.

The New Yorker

"Because you'll be asked".

The New York Times - Books

They will be asked to practice.

The New York Times

I was flattered to be asked, though".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be asked" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the receiver of the action rather than the actor. For instance, "Applicants will be asked to provide references."

Common error

Avoid using "be asked" when an active voice construction is more direct and clear. Instead of "The committee will be asked questions", use "The committee will answer questions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be asked" primarily functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject is the receiver of the action of asking, rather than the one performing the asking. Ludwig AI confirms this widespread usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be asked" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb construction used to indicate that someone will receive a question or a request. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile and appears frequently in various contexts, most notably in News & Media. When writing, it's important to use "be asked" in scenarios where you want to emphasize the receiver of the action, but avoid it when a more direct active voice would improve clarity. Alternatives like "be requested" can provide a more formal tone, while others, such as "will answer", may be better suited for active voice constructions. Remember to use the correct past participle form, "asked", and to choose the phrasing that best suits the desired level of formality and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be requested

Emphasizes a formal or polite form of asking.

be inquired of

Suggests a formal or investigative inquiry.

be prompted

Highlights the act of being encouraged to speak or act.

be called upon

Implies a sense of duty or expectation to do something.

be invited

Focuses on receiving an invitation, either literal or figurative.

be surveyed

Indicates a structured or methodical questioning process.

be polled

Suggests gathering opinions or information from a group.

have to answer

Highlights the obligation to respond to a question.

be subjected to questions

Emphasizes the experience of undergoing questioning, potentially under scrutiny.

be on the receiving end of a question

Highlights the passive experience of receiving a question, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be asked" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "be requested" or "be inquired of". These options add a layer of formality to your writing.

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

"Be asked" implies a question or request is directed at someone, while "be told" means someone is receiving information. For example, "I will be asked about my experience" versus "I will be told the results".

Is it correct to say "will be ask" instead of "will be asked"?

No, "will be ask" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "will be asked", using the past participle form of the verb to form the passive voice.

What's a less formal way to say "you will be asked"?

In a less formal context, you could say "you'll have to answer", "you'll get asked", or simply "we'll ask you" depending on the situation.