casually asking

USAGE SUMMARY

"casually asking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you are not being too demanding when posing a question. For example: "I'm just casually asking, do you know when the meeting is scheduled for?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's not like casually asking a lawyer to review a contract as you hand her a predinner martini.

The New York Times - Magazine

Every local, state and federal election season, I receive phone calls at my home casually asking which side I will support.

The New York Times

In the clubhouse and the dugout, Jeter seeks out teammates, casually asking if everything is O.K., letting them know he is available to talk.

The New York Times - Sports

I remember going to the Dior ateliers, in 2000, and casually asking the woman who ran the drapery workrooms which of Dior's designers she liked best: Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré or Mr. Galliano.

The New York Times

These days Mrs. Clinton's mind seems to drift to Iowa, as she has been casually asking friends about who's who in the state's Democratic Party, said two people who could discuss private conversations only anonymously.

The New York Times

It was five years ago that Rankine began casually asking her friends to share their experiences of "where they were in some kind of interaction, and suddenly race occurred".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

You casually ask the price.

The Guardian - Books

He casually asks if she's after revenge.

The New York Times

Participants were casually asked to indicate hunger level and instructed that they were welcome to consume the snack.

Appetite

Garnett was casually asked what he thought of the N.B.A.'s newest suite-laden fun house.

The New York Times - Sports

Obama casually asked Biden to take the lead on Iraqi policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "casually asking", ensure the context aligns with a relaxed and informal tone. This avoids misrepresenting the seriousness of the inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "casually asking" when the situation requires a direct and serious inquiry. Overuse can diminish the impact and appear unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "casually asking" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase, describing an action of inquiring in a relaxed or informal manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

31%

Science

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "casually asking" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe making an inquiry in a relaxed or informal manner. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for various contexts, with a higher prevalence in News & Media and Wiki sources. When employing the phrase, consider its subtle implications of nonchalance and ensure it aligns with the intended tone of your communication. While versatile, avoid overusing it in formal settings, opting instead for more professional alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informally inquiring

Replaces "casually" with "informally", emphasizing the lack of formality in the question.

nonchalantly questioning

Substitutes "asking" with "questioning" and "casually" with "nonchalantly", highlighting a relaxed manner.

lightly probing

Uses "probing" instead of "asking", suggesting a subtle attempt to gather information, while "lightly" indicates the casual nature.

offhandedly querying

Replaces "asking" with "querying" and "casually" with "offhandedly", conveying a sense of nonchalance.

mentioning in passing

Focuses on the act of bringing up a topic briefly and without emphasis.

dropping a question

Emphasizes the sudden and casual introduction of a question into a conversation.

raising the question

Highlights the act of introducing the question.

posing the question

Replaces "asking" with "posing", suggesting a more deliberate but still potentially casual approach.

bringing up the topic

Focuses on introducing the subject matter rather than directly asking a question.

inquiring without pressure

Highlights the absence of pressure in the inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "casually asking" in a sentence?

You can use "casually asking" to describe making an inquiry in a relaxed or informal way. For example, "He was "casually asking" about the project's progress during the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "casually asking"?

Alternatives include "informally inquiring", "nonchalantly questioning", or "lightly probing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "casually asking" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "casually asking" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more professional alternatives.

What does it mean to be "casually asking" something?

To be "casually asking" means to inquire about something in a relaxed, unpressured manner, without appearing overly concerned or invested in the answer.