even when asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even when asked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs or is true regardless of whether a request or question has been made. Example: "She remained silent even when asked about her opinion on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

They persisted even when asked to lower their voices.

The New York Times

He shows an easy demeanor; he is unfailingly positive, even when asked difficult questions.

The New York Times

But Gaumont refused to disclose the budget of the film, even when asked directly.

The New York Times

So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate".

The New Yorker

That was the tone of Thorpe's day, gracious and conciliatory, even when asked about Phelps.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, it did not delete them even when asked to do so by the family.

The Guardian

Wednesday was one of those playful days, even when asked about being limited in practice.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Several questioners, even when asking anxiously about specific programmes they valued prefaced their remarks with a "Of course, I understand the government has to make big cuts".

The Economist

Mr. Herzog, interviewing killers, survivors, witnesses and officials in law enforcement and corrections, is polite even when asking uncomfortable questions, and the seriousness of his intentions allows humor and absurdity to bubble up amid all the pain.

The New York Times

Joint effects are notoriously hard to identify and characterize, even when asking a simple and unsatisfying question, like whether two effects are log-additive.

Genomics

"Yes, you are important to us, but allow us to distribute our time with other guests when talking or even when asking for more things".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even when asked" to emphasize the persistence of a state or action, irrespective of direct questioning or requests. For instance, "The company remained silent, even when asked by investors."

Common error

Avoid using "even when asked" when the asking is the expected norm. It's best used when the lack of change despite the asking is surprising or noteworthy. For example, instead of saying "He answered, even when asked", which implies answering is unusual, reserve the phrase for scenarios where a response was anticipated but not provided, "He refused to comment, even when asked directly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even when asked" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or state remains consistent despite direct questioning or a request. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even when asked" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize persistence despite questioning. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, use "even when asked" to underscore a point of steadfastness or resistance to influence, and avoid using it in contexts where asking is a standard expectation. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "despite being questioned" or "even after inquiring" for nuanced expression. This phrase is a valuable tool to illustrate the unwavering nature of an action or situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite being questioned

Focuses on the questioning aspect, implying something holds true even with interrogation.

even after inquiring

Highlights the act of inquiring and the persistence of a situation thereafter.

even with prompting

Emphasizes that something remains the same despite attempts to elicit a change or response.

regardless of the inquiry

Stresses that an inquiry does not affect the outcome or situation.

even though solicited

Highlights the aspect of being asked or requested, and the situation remains unchanged.

notwithstanding the question

Indicates that a situation remains unchanged despite the presence of a question.

even if queried

Implies that something is true, even under the condition of being queried.

even upon interrogation

Focuses on a more intense form of questioning and the persistence of a situation.

even following a request

Highlights that something occurs despite a prior request being made.

even when prompted

Indicates that something persists despite being encouraged or pushed to change.

FAQs

How can I use "even when asked" in a sentence?

Use "even when asked" to show that a condition or behavior persists despite someone being questioned or requested to do something. For instance, "She didn't reveal the secret, "even when asked" directly."

What can I say instead of "even when asked"?

You can use alternatives like "despite being questioned", "even after inquiring", or "regardless of the inquiry" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to use "even when asked directly"?

While "even when asked" implies a direct question, adding "directly" can strengthen the emphasis, especially when the question was straightforward and left no room for ambiguity.

What's the difference between "even when asked" and "even if asked"?

"Even when asked" implies that the asking actually happened, while "even if asked" suggests a hypothetical scenario. For example, "He didn't respond, "even when asked"" means he was actually asked. "He wouldn't respond, "even if asked"" means it's a hypothetical situation and he might never have been asked.