be asked to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be asked to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is requested or required to do something. Example: "You will be asked to submit your report by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They will be asked to practice.

The New York Times

Would I be asked to sacrifice?

The New Yorker

He would be asked to win them.

The New York Times - Sports

"You may be asked to touch someone.

The New York Times

Nobody will be asked to undress.

Stanford University

She expected to be asked to resign.

The Guardian

You could be asked to dance mortifying!

The New Yorker

Or should they be asked to stop?

The Guardian

Or it might be asked to leave.

The Guardian

God will be asked to bless.

The Washington Post

You'll be asked to sign up.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be asked to" when you want to express a request or instruction in a passive voice. This construction is particularly useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who is doing the asking when using the passive construction "be asked to". If clarity is needed, rephrase to active voice to specify who is making the request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be asked to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of a request or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The auxiliary verb "be" is conjugated, and "asked" is the past participle of "ask".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

35%

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be asked to" is a grammatically sound and very common passive construction used to indicate that a request or instruction has been made. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. It finds its primary usage in academic, news, and scientific contexts. When using "be asked to", ensure clarity by specifying the actor making the request if necessary, and consider more formal alternatives like "be requested to" for professional communications. Pay attention to the passive form when you “be asked to” use this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be requested to

Emphasizes a formal request.

be required to

Highlights a necessity or obligation.

be expected to

Implies an anticipation or presumption of action.

be invited to

Suggests a polite or formal invitation.

be prompted to

Indicates being encouraged or stimulated to act.

be called upon to

Stresses a formal demand or expectation.

be directed to

Highlights an order or instruction.

be instructed to

Implies a clear set of directions given.

be obliged to

Conveys a sense of duty or compulsion.

be compelled to

Emphasizes a strong force or necessity.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be asked to" indicates a request or expectation. For example: "You will be asked to present your findings." It uses passive voice, so the person making the request may not be explicitly stated.

What is the difference between "be asked to" and "be required to"?

"Be asked to" implies a request, while ""be required to"" suggests an obligation or necessity. The latter carries a stronger sense of duty or enforcement.

Are there formal alternatives to "be asked to"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "be requested to", "be directed to", or "be instructed to". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be asked to"?

The choice depends on the context. If the actor is known and important, active voice is preferable. If the actor is unknown or less important than the action, passive voice with "be asked to" is appropriate.