he was asked

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was asked" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when someone is being asked to do something, or when someone is being asked a question. For example: "The teacher asked him what he wanted to do for the school play, and he was asked to play the role of Romeo."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Really? he was asked.

The New York Times - Sports

Again, he was asked why.

The Economist

"Why not?" he was asked.

The New York Times - Sports

Just once?, he was asked.

The New York Times - Health

He was asked to elaborate.

The New York Times

The game? he was asked.

The New York Times - Sports

What's that, he was asked?

The New York Times - Arts

Why four, he was asked.

Independent

"Starstruck?" he was asked.

The Guardian

"Where?" he was asked.

The New York Times - Sports

"Why?" he was asked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was asked", ensure the context clearly indicates who did the asking. If relevant, specify the asker to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is failing to specify the subject matter of the question. Always clarify what "he was asked" about to prevent confusion and provide context.

Linguistic Context

"He was asked" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone posed a question to him. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a grammatically correct and usable sentence structure in English. The examples illustrate its common use in reporting inquiries or dialogues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was asked" is a common and grammatically sound passive voice construction used to indicate that someone directed a question at an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, where reporting inquiries is essential. For enhancing clarity, specifying who asked the question and the subject matter is beneficial. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, formality can be adjusted using synonyms like "queried" or "got asked" to fit the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he got asked

Replaces 'was' with 'got', indicating a more informal tone.

he was queried

Substitutes 'asked' with the more formal 'queried'.

he received a question

Indicates that a question was given to him.

the question was posed to him

Shifts the focus to the question itself, emphasizing its delivery.

a question was put to him

Emphasizes the act of presenting a question.

they inquired of him

Uses a more formal verb 'inquired' and a different pronoun structure.

someone put a question to him

Highlights that a question was asked by someone unspecified.

he faced the question

Highlights the act of dealing with the question.

people asked him

Rewrites the sentence in active voice.

he underwent questioning

Focuses on the process of being questioned.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he was asked" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "he was queried" or "a question was posed to him". These options add a layer of professional distance.

What's a more casual way to say "he was asked"?

In informal settings, "he got asked" is a suitable alternative. It's more conversational and less stiff.

Is it always necessary to specify who asked when using "he was asked"?

While not always required, specifying who asked the question can provide important context and clarity. If the asker is relevant to the situation, include that information.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "he was asked"?

Ensure the context makes it clear what the question was about. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the subject matter of the inquiry or adding details in a subsequent sentence.