have asked around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have asked around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that the speaker has made inquiries among other people about something. For example, "I wanted to know more about the situation, so I have asked around to see if anyone else had any information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When I have asked around to see what is holding CEOs back from doing the right and necessary thing, the answer is often that they "don't feel safe to do so".

The Guardian

I have asked around, and I have not heard of a single instance in which a lab head, of any race or ethnicity, male or female, held a lab meeting or sent a welcome e-mail explicitly recognizing that these are real problems they are willing to discuss.

Nature

"I have asked around a lot and there was no military strategy coming from Mullah Omar, not in 2001, not in 2005, not in 2010," said Bette Dam, a journalist and author who has been researching a biography of Omar for several years.

The Guardian

I have not been able to get a clear answer on whom Iran invited to participate as their sanctions experts; however, I have asked around, and none of the people in the private sector who are typically considered to be "sanctions experts" were invited to assist Iran, nor was their counsel sought.

Huffington Post

The Brewers have asked around about pitcher Kei Igawa, and the Yankees have been linked to third baseman Bill Hall, another friend of Sabathia's.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I had asked around and learned a little about Julian before setting off in search of him.

The Guardian

"I've asked around everywhere, and everyone has died or retired and moved on," Stephanie M. Brown, a spokeswoman for Penney, said.

The New York Times

I've asked around, and most of the people told me that the soul is somewhere in the abdominal area — a foot or so above the asshole.

The New Yorker

And, I've asked around, but nobody has been able to tell me what the R signifies in iPhone Xr except that it indicates a connection to the iPhone Xs and confirms, most importantly, that this is an iPhone X-type experience.

Forbes

Staying energized contributes to success, and I've asked around and found some creative ways successful people do it.

Huffington Post

The man has asked around about the thefts, with no result.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have asked around" when you want to convey that you've casually sought information from multiple people without a formal investigation or direct approach.

Common error

Avoid using "have asked around" in formal reports or professional communications where a more direct or structured method of inquiry would be expected. In such contexts, "have inquired" or "have consulted" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have asked around" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of making informal inquiries to various people. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure. The auxiliary verb "have" combined with the past participle "asked" indicates a completed action, while "around" specifies the dispersed nature of the inquiries.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science & Research

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have asked around" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates making informal inquiries to various people to gather information. While the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in science and research, as well as wiki articles. Its informal register makes it less suitable for formal or academic writing, where more direct or structured language might be preferred. Remember to consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use "have asked around" or a more formal alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have inquired of others

This alternative uses more formal language than the original phrase.

have sounded people out

This suggests a subtle approach to gauge opinions without being direct.

have made inquiries

This alternative is more formal and direct, lacking the casual nature of the original phrase.

have picked people's brains

This implies a more focused effort to extract knowledge or ideas from specific individuals.

have canvassed opinion

This alternative implies a more systematic effort to gather opinions from a group.

have gathered opinions

Focuses on the collection of opinions rather than the act of asking.

have polled people

This suggests a more structured survey or poll, rather than informal inquiries.

have sought information from various sources

This alternative broadens the scope beyond just asking people.

have consulted with people

This implies seeking advice or expertise, not just general information.

have investigated by asking

This suggests a more formal or serious investigation that involves asking questions.

FAQs

How can I use "have asked around" in a sentence?

You can use "have asked around" to indicate that you've made informal inquiries to several people. For example, "I "have asked around" to see if anyone knows where the missing file is."

What's the difference between "have asked around" and "have inquired"?

"Have inquired" is more formal and suggests a direct, official request for information. "Have asked around" is more casual and implies seeking information from multiple people informally.

What can I say instead of "have asked around"?

You can use alternatives like "have inquired of others", "have made inquiries", or "have consulted with people depending on the context.

Is "have asked around" appropriate for professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "have asked around" is generally considered informal. In professional writing, it's often better to use more formal alternatives like "have investigated" or "have consulted with".