genuinely asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'genuinely asking' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the sincerity of a question and make it clear that a genuine answer is expected. For example: "I'm genuinely asking, what do you think of this idea?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But, by the end, it suggested that he was beyond ever genuinely asking for it.

The New York Times

"There is a fine line between begging for money and genuinely asking people for help when you need it most.

The Guardian

Some users of Weibo (China's equivalent to Twitter) were genuinely asking how come Fu wasn't making the pool red.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Green Climate Fund, no doubt, is genuinely asking itself: how can we make sure funds reach those most in need?

Independent

This means genuinely asking for permission — using honesty to win trust by enabling rather than disabling user agency.

TechCrunch

Tag questions have a rising intonation when the speaker is genuinely asking for information, but a fall when the speaker expects that the other speaker will agree (Wells 2006).

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

#XFactor  I genuinely asked myself if I was blind after the camera zoomed in on Cee Lo green and that freaking floral background.

Independent

In South Africa, even torturers and murderers under the apartheid system were granted amnesties for their crimes as part of a social healing process, but only after they had publicly admitted their actions and genuinely asked for forgiveness.

The Guardian

You want the entrepreneurs to trust you enough to genuinely ask your opinion on matters like hiring and strategic direction.

TechCrunch

He was looking for hires at his company, so I sent along a few candidates, and as usual, genuinely asked me if there was anything he could help me with.

TechCrunch

"Why do you like to ruin good things?" He genuinely asked.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "genuinely asking", ensure the context makes it clear you are open to hearing potentially unexpected or unfavorable responses.

Common error

Avoid using "genuinely asking" too frequently in a conversation or piece of writing. Overuse can make your sincerity seem forced or artificial. Vary your language to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "genuinely asking" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a verb phrase. "Genuinely" modifies the verb "asking", emphasizing the sincerity and authenticity of the question being posed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it clarifies that the question is not rhetorical or insincere.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "genuinely asking" is a phrase used to emphasize the sincerity of a question, signaling that the speaker/writer truly desires an honest response. Grammatically correct and commonly used, it is found across various contexts, especially in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms it is a standard English phrase. When writing, it's best to use the phrase when you want to avoid any ambiguity about your intent to understand and/or learn the other person's position. Remember to avoid overusing it to maintain a natural tone in your writing. Related phrases like "honestly asking" or "sincerely asking" can serve as alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honestly asking

Replaces "genuinely" with "honestly", emphasizing truthfulness.

sincerely asking

Substitutes "genuinely" with "sincerely", focusing on heartfelt honesty.

truly asking

Replaces "genuinely" with "truly", highlighting the authenticity of the inquiry.

really asking

Uses "really" instead of "genuinely" to express a high degree of earnestness.

earnestly asking

Employs "earnestly" to convey a serious and sincere request.

inquisitively asking

Focuses on the act of questioning with genuine curiosity.

asking in earnest

Emphasizes the seriousness and sincerity of the question.

seeking honest input

Shifts focus to the desire for a truthful response.

in all sincerity asking

Adds further emphasis to the sincerity of the question.

asking without pretense

Highlights the absence of insincerity or hidden motives.

FAQs

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

You can use "genuinely asking" to emphasize the sincerity of your inquiry. For example, you might say, "I'm "genuinely asking": what are your thoughts on this proposal?"

What's a good alternative to "genuinely asking"?

Alternatives include phrases like "honestly asking", "sincerely asking", or "truly asking". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "I'm genuinely asking"?

While not strictly redundant, using "genuinely" adds emphasis to your sincerity. If the context already implies sincerity, it might be omitted without changing the core meaning. In cases where sarcasm or doubt might exist, its explicit use is helpful.

Which is better, "genuinely asking" or "really asking"?

Both phrases convey sincerity, but "genuinely asking" might be perceived as slightly more formal or earnest than "really asking". The better choice depends on the tone you wish to establish.