easy asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easy asking" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used in contexts where you want to convey that making a request is simple or straightforward. Example: "I appreciate your willingness to help; it makes easy asking for assistance much easier."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Getting him to talk about the company's strengths is easy; asking him to admit even the slightest mistake is tougher than pulling teeth.

The Economist

Last week its front page read "Bush's Math: No Big Easy", asking how much money would be left over when the cost of Iraq was added to the cost of Katrina and the dollars going on tax cuts taken away.

The Guardian

It is not easy asking a man who has lost 12 members of his family, including aunts and uncles, how he is coping, particularly when the same ferry disaster also cost the lives of many of his friends and more than 1,000 compatriots.

The Guardian - Sport

It was never going to be easy asking Gareth to leave". The former England defender could not prevent the club sliding out of the Premier League last season and Steve Gibson, the Middlesbrough chairman, revealed it was his fear that the club would not bounce back at the first attempt which led him to make the change.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not easy asking for help.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's no easy ask.

The Guardian

Sadly, that's not an easy ask.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Start with something easy: Ask him about "Django Unchained," the Quentin Tarantino movie he is filming.

The New York Times

If it's so easy, asks Lawford's character, why hasn't somebody done it before?

The New York Times

It's easy to move in the other direction but retrenching isn't easy". Asked whether News Corp will find it hard to retrench, she smiles.

The Guardian

"Record sleeves is quite a nice brief I think and because art and music sit so close together, it makes it quite an easy ask," said King.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the ease of making a request, it's better to use grammatically correct phrases like "easy to ask" or "simple request" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid combining adjectives like "easy" directly with gerunds (asking) without a proper linking verb (is) or preposition (to) to ensure grammatical correctness and avoid ambiguity. Instead of "easy asking", consider "it is easy to ask".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easy asking" functions as a descriptor implying simplicity in making a request or inquiry. Despite its meaning being generally understood, it's not grammatically standard. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "easy asking" might seem intuitive, it deviates from standard English grammar. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's better to opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "easy to ask" or "simple request", especially in formal contexts. This ensures clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations. Although examples exist predominantly in news and media sources, prioritizing grammatical correctness enhances professionalism and broader understandability. Using phrases as "easy to ask" are safer, clearer, and more effective in both written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy to request

Rephrases the concept using a more grammatically standard structure.

simple to ask

Rephrases the concept using a more grammatically standard structure.

simple request

Focuses on the nature of the request itself being uncomplicated.

not difficult to ask

Expresses the idea by negating the difficulty of asking.

straightforward asking

Emphasizes the directness and lack of complexity in the act of asking.

posing the question simply

Focuses on the manner in which the question is presented.

effortless inquiry

Highlights the lack of effort required to make the inquiry.

painless solicitation

Implies that the act of asking is without discomfort or difficulty.

casual request

Indicates the informality and lack of formality in the request.

uncomplicated question

Emphasizes the lack of complex elements in the question.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "easy asking"?

Instead of "easy asking", you can say "easy to ask" or "simple request", which are more standard and easily understood.

In what contexts might I want to avoid using "easy asking"?

It's best to avoid "easy asking" in formal writing or professional settings. Use clearer and more conventional phrases such as "it is easy to ask" or "straightforward question" to ensure clarity and credibility.

How can I make it clear that a request is not difficult to make?

Instead of using "easy asking", try "it's not difficult to ask" or "the request is simple". These options convey the same meaning with better grammatical structure.

Is "easy asking" ever considered acceptable in certain dialects or informal speech?

While "easy asking" might be used informally or in specific dialects, it's generally not considered standard English. For broader understanding, it's advisable to use alternatives like "easy to ask" or "simple question".