be asked whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"be asked whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to indicate that someone is inquiring about the truth of a certain statement. For example: "The student was asked whether he had completed the assignment on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Colorado voters will be asked whether to define a "person" as "any human being from the moment of fertilization".

The New York Times

It might be asked whether that, in itself, is enough.

The Guardian - Sport

But soon questions will be asked whether Bosnia's dysfunctional state has left the rescue operation fragmented.

The Economist

Expect to be asked whether you'd like your fried anchovies with or without their heads.

The New York Times

Eventually it began to be asked whether memories of him might not be proving a distraction.

The Guardian - Sport

Presidential candidates should be asked whether they would keep such standards, Mr. Norquist said.

The New York Times

Yet it has to be asked whether ministers have not taken the coward's way out.

The Guardian

It will inevitably be asked whether a more powerful security apparatus could have avoided these attacks.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is also a university trustee, so it might be asked whether N.Y.U.

The New York Times

First, voters will be asked whether the governor should be removed from office.

The New York Times

Members will be asked whether they support backing a nuclear deterrent "for as long as the global security situation demands".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be asked whether", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is asking and who is being asked. For example: "The candidates will be asked whether they support the new policy."

Common error

Avoid placing unnecessary words between "be" and "asked". For example, instead of writing "They will going to be asked whether…", write "They will be asked whether…".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be asked whether" functions as a passive construction introducing an indirect question. It indicates that someone is the recipient of an inquiry regarding the truth or validity of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms that this is both correct and common in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be asked whether" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to introduce inquiries or questions about a specific condition or choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is prevalent across different writing styles, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is asking and who is being asked. Common alternatives include "be questioned on whether" or "be polled regarding whether", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be questioned on whether

Replaces "asked" with "questioned", suggesting a more formal or investigative tone.

be polled regarding whether

Uses "polled" instead of "asked", implying a systematic collection of opinions.

be inquired if

Replaces "whether" with "if", which is grammatically acceptable in certain contexts.

be surveyed about whether

Emphasizes a broader data collection approach using "surveyed".

be canvassed as to whether

Indicates a direct and thorough seeking of opinions, especially in political contexts.

be prompted to answer whether

Highlights the act of urging someone to respond to a query.

be subjected to the query whether

Suggests a more forceful or unavoidable inquiry.

face the question of whether

Focuses on confronting a challenging or important question.

have to determine if

Shifts from being asked to actively determining something, using "if" instead of "whether".

need to ascertain whether

Emphasizes the necessity of establishing the truth or certainty of something.

FAQs

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

Use "be asked whether" to introduce a question or inquiry about a particular condition or fact. For example, "Voters will "be asked whether" they approve the new law."

What are some alternatives to "be asked whether"?

Alternatives include "be questioned on whether", "be polled regarding whether", or "be inquired if", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "if" instead of "whether" after "be asked"?

While "if" can sometimes replace "whether", using "whether" is generally more precise and preferred in formal writing. Therefore, "be asked whether" is usually the better choice.

What is the difference between "be asked whether" and "be questioned whether"?

"Be asked whether" is a general inquiry, while "be questioned whether" suggests a more formal or potentially critical investigation or interrogation.