do not ask to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not ask to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is advising against requesting something or seeking permission for a particular action. Example: "In this situation, do not ask to be included in the decision-making process if you are not prepared to take responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They do not ask to be admired.

The New York Times - Books

Dancers do not ask to be considered victims.

The New York Times - Arts

Nadine Collier, Felicia Sanders, and Bethane Middleton-Brown do not ask to be admired, but still we honor them and take courage from them and join them in their grief and resolution.

The New Yorker

Victims and their families do not ask to be thrust into the criminal justice system.

Vice

He pointed out that some works of modern art, like Duchamp's urinal or Warhol's Brillo Boxes, do not ask to be looked at for hours and hours.

Huffington Post

Indeed, her work constructs the enigmatic stage for an interior world, one pulsing with erotic urges and animal instincts that do not ask to be explained. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Don't ask to be mentored Let it grow organically.

The Guardian

"We don't ask to be special …" Hmm?

The Guardian - Film

CHILDREN don't ask to be born, just loved.

The New York Times

Despite stricter rules morale is high & troops don't ask to be transferred from W. Berlin.

The New Yorker

Her advice to gays is, don't ask to be treated better, demand to be treated equally.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "do not ask to be" when you want to discourage someone from actively seeking a role or position they might not be ready for or that is not appropriate for them to request directly. For example, "Do not ask to be a leader; demonstrate leadership through your actions."

Common error

A common mistake is using "do not ask to be" when you actually mean someone should take initiative. This phrase is about avoiding requests, not about passivity in general. If you want someone to step up, avoid this phrase and instead encourage them to take action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not ask to be" functions as an imperative or a directive, advising against the act of directly requesting or seeking a particular status, role, or condition. As Ludwig AI suggests, it conveys a message about how certain achievements should be obtained.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not ask to be" is a directive used to discourage directly requesting something, with an implied emphasis on earning it through merit or circumstance. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, and Ludwig examples reveal its use in both news and wiki contexts. While semantically straightforward, it's important to consider alternative phrasing to ensure the message is clear and appropriate for the context. Alternatives include "refrain from requesting to be" or "avoid seeking to be".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not seek permission to be

Specifically addresses the act of asking for authorization.

refrain from requesting to be

Emphasizes conscious restraint from making a request.

avoid seeking to be

Highlights the action of avoiding the pursuit of a certain state.

do not aspire to be

Focuses on discouraging the ambition or strong desire for a particular outcome.

do not aim to be

Focuses on discouraging the intention of getting to some particular outcome.

don't solicit being

Uses a more formal term 'solicit' to discourage actively seeking something.

forego petitioning to be

Suggests a deliberate choice to abstain from formally requesting.

abstain from demanding to be

Highlights refraining from insisting on a specific condition.

desist from trying to be

Advises against continuing efforts toward achieving a specific role or condition.

cease from wanting to be

Emphasizes the stopping of a desire or wish for a certain state.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "do not ask to be"?

Saying "do not ask to be" is a directive advising against directly requesting or seeking a particular role, status, or condition. It suggests that the desired outcome should be achieved through merit or circumstance rather than explicit solicitation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "do not ask to be"?

It's appropriate to use "do not ask to be" when you want to discourage someone from directly requesting a position or favor. This might be because it's considered presumptuous, against protocol, or because the desired outcome should be earned rather than requested. For example, "Do not ask to be promoted; demonstrate your value through consistent performance".

Are there alternative ways to express "do not ask to be"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "refrain from requesting to be", "avoid seeking to be", or "do not seek permission to be" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever acceptable to ask to be something?

Yes, there are situations where it is acceptable or even necessary to ask to be considered for something. It depends on the context, the norms of the environment, and the specific role or opportunity. However, consider whether demonstrating your capabilities and suitability might be more effective.