he asked that

USAGE SUMMARY

"he asked that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce a request that was made by a person. For example: "He asked that I call him when I arrived home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You bought what?" he asked that night.

The New York Times

(He asked that HuffPost not disclose his means of communication).

Huffington Post

He asked that two people show up.

The New Yorker

He asked that his name be withheld.

The New York Times

He asked that they be signed.

The New York Times

He asked that the elderly not attend.

The Washington Post

He asked that he be killed and people refused.

Yale University

He asked that the essay be removed.

The New York Times

And he asked that gentlemen wear jackets.

The New York Times

I liked that he asked that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He asked that her apartment be searched.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he asked that", ensure the verb following "that" is in the base form (without "to") for proper grammatical structure. For example, "He asked that she be present" is correct, not "He asked that she is present".

Common error

Avoid using the indicative mood (e.g., "is", "was") after "that" in sentences using "he asked that". Instead, use the subjunctive mood (base form of the verb). A common mistake is saying, "He asked that she is there," when it should be, "He asked that she be there".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he asked that" functions as a reporting clause introducing an indirect request or instruction. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is common and grammatically sound. Examples demonstrate its use in news reporting, academic writing, and general communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he asked that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to report an indirect request or instruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its prevalence across diverse sources like news media, academic papers, and general writing underscores its versatility and validity. Be mindful of maintaining the subjunctive mood for grammatical correctness. Consider related phrases like "he requested that" or "he instructed that" to suit different levels of formality. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use "he asked that" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he requested that

Uses "requested" instead of "asked", implying a slightly more formal tone.

he made a request that

Rephrases the request as a noun phrase, adding emphasis to the act of requesting.

he stipulated that

Implies a condition or requirement, suggesting a more formal and binding request.

he instructed that

Uses "instructed", suggesting a more authoritative tone.

he specified that

Indicates a precise and detailed request, emphasizing clarity.

he demanded that

Uses "demanded" instead of "asked", implying a forceful request.

he required that

Suggests that something is necessary or obligatory.

it was his request that

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the request itself.

his wish was that

Expresses the request as a wish, adding a personal touch.

he desired that

Uses "desired", indicating a strong wish or longing.

FAQs

How to use "he asked that" in a sentence?

Use "he asked that" to introduce a request or instruction made by someone. For example, "He asked that the report be submitted by Friday."

What can I say instead of "he asked that"?

You can use alternatives like "he requested that", "he stipulated that", or "he instructed that", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he asked that I am there"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "he asked that I be there". The subjunctive mood requires the base form of the verb after "that" in this construction.

What's the difference between "he asked that" and "he asked me to"?

"He asked that" introduces a clause with the subjunctive mood, implying a formal request or instruction. For example, "He asked that the meeting be postponed." "He asked me to" is a direct request, like, "He asked me to postpone the meeting."