he asked to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he asked to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is requesting permission or making a request for something to be done. Example: "He asked to leave the meeting early due to a prior commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He asked to play.

Independent

He asked to take the man's picture.

The New York Times

He asked to see it.

The New York Times

Was he asked to take part?

The Guardian - Film

He asked to meet at her apartment.

The Washington Post

He asked to be sent eastwards.

The Times

One day, he asked to paint her.

The New York Times

He asked to see his children.

The New York Times

He asked to see the chart.

The New York Times - Health

After that, he asked to be traded.

The New York Times - Sports

He asked to see my bag.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he asked to" when indicating a direct request or a desire for something. It's a straightforward way to convey someone's intention or action.

Common error

Ensure the context is clear when using "he asked to" to avoid ambiguity. Specify who or what the request is directed towards to provide complete information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he asked to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a request or expressed desire. Ludwig examples show its use in reporting requests for actions, permissions, or information. It highlights the subject's initiation of a request.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he asked to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a request or expressed desire. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to report or describe a subject's initiation of a request. While neutral in register, clarity in context is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "he requested to" or "he sought to" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he requested permission to

Emphasizes the formal act of seeking permission.

he put in a request to

Highlights the act of submitting a formal request.

he expressed a wish to

Focuses on communicating a desire or intention.

he sought to

Highlights the effort or attempt to achieve something.

he desired to

Focuses on a strong feeling of wanting something.

he wished to

Implies a polite or formal expression of wanting something.

he proposed to

Suggests a formal suggestion or plan.

he made a plea to

Emphasizes an emotional or urgent request.

he moved to

Indicates a formal motion or request in a meeting setting.

he took the liberty of asking to

Indicates a somewhat presumptuous request.

FAQs

How can I use "he asked to" in a sentence?

You can use "he asked to" to describe a request or a desire. For example, "He asked to leave early" or "He asked to see the manager".

What are some alternatives to "he asked to"?

Alternatives include "he requested to", "he sought to", or "he desired to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he asked to" or should it be "he requested to"?

Both "he asked to" and "he requested to" are grammatically correct, but "he requested to" is generally considered more formal.

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

"He asked to" implies a direct request or expressed desire, while "he wanted to" simply indicates a desire without necessarily implying a request was made.