directly asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directly asked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone posed a question or request in a straightforward manner without any intermediaries. Example: "During the meeting, she directly asked for clarification on the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He never directly asked for the nation's patience.

The New York Times

But he never directly asked for it to be killed.

The New York Times

But on Dec. 6, George Stephanopoulus directly asked the question.

The Washington Post

Nobody directly asked how much the jobs would pay.

The New York Times

More specifically, when directly asked on surveys, respondents are likely to underreport their evasion behavior.

Journal of Economic Psychology

Only three of the key questions were directly asked by the committee.

The Guardian

We directly asked people in one group if they had ever engaged in specific activities.

Harvard Business Review

Yet there continue to be cases where service members are directly asked about their sexual orientation.

The New York Times

After it had already taken place, McDonnell directly asked him to talk to Williams.

The Washington Post

He acknowledged that he had directly asked if he was being investigated.

The New York Times

Nor does the paper appear to have directly asked sources if Fine abused Davis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly asked" to emphasize the absence of intermediaries or indirect approaches in communication. This can add clarity and strength to your writing, especially when contrasting it with implied or suggested requests.

Common error

Avoid using "directly asked" when a more active phrasing would be clearer. For example, instead of "It was directly asked if he was involved", prefer "Someone directly asked if he was involved" to maintain a direct and active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly asked" functions as an adverb modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which a question or request was made. It emphasizes that the inquiry was straightforward and explicit, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

37%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directly asked" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the explicit and straightforward nature of a question or request. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable across a range of contexts, but is most frequent in "News & Media" and "Science". When using "directly asked", ensure that the phrasing remains active for clarity, and consider alternatives like "explicitly requested" or "straightforwardly asked" to fine-tune the specific nuance. The phrase is generally neutral in tone but avoids passive constructions for maximum impact. Overall, using "directly asked" effectively enhances clarity and directness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

straightforwardly asked

Highlights the lack of complication in the asking.

plainly asked

Underscores the simplicity and directness of the question.

explicitly requested

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the request.

expressly sought

Emphasizes the explicit nature of seeking something.

pointedly inquired

Highlights the directness and sometimes pointed nature of the question.

forthrightly questioned

Focuses on the honesty and openness of the inquiry.

frankly inquired

Emphasizes the honesty and candor of the inquiry.

unequivocally queried

Stresses the unambiguous nature of the question.

openly solicited

Highlights the transparency and directness of the solicitation.

bluntly questioned

Implies a lack of tact or diplomacy in the questioning.

FAQs

How to use "directly asked" in a sentence?

Use "directly asked" to indicate that a question or request was made in a straightforward and explicit manner. For instance, "He was "directly asked" about his intentions" or "The committee "directly asked" for a detailed report".

What can I say instead of "directly asked"?

You can use alternatives like "explicitly requested", "pointedly inquired", or "straightforwardly asked" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "asked directly" or "directly asked"?

While both phrases are understandable, "directly asked" is generally more common and natural-sounding when emphasizing the manner in which the question was posed. "Asked directly" might be preferred when the focus is on the verb "asked" itself. Check a context search engine for use examples before committing to a choice.

What's the difference between "directly asked" and "indirectly asked"?

"Directly asked" means a question was posed explicitly and straightforwardly, whereas "indirectly asked" implies the question was hinted at or implied without being explicitly stated. For example, "She "directly asked" for a raise", versus "She "indirectly asked" for a raise by mentioning her increased responsibilities".