literally asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "literally asked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that someone asked something in a straightforward or direct manner, often to clarify that the request was not figurative. Example: "She literally asked if I wanted to join her for dinner, without any hints or suggestions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The feds literally asked locals which cave Eric Rudolph might like best, as soldiers would later grill amused Afghan tribesmen.

The New York Times

"I literally asked if they would let me swing the bat," Zeile said, after his two hits played a major role in the Mets' 4-2 victory.

The New York Times - Sports

As Americans dump their S.U.V.'s in droves, Detroit's pained executives might do well to recall that they, quite literally, asked for it.

The New York Times

Socialists who had spent their lives opposing Chirac, who thought him unprincipled, mediocre, and significantly corrupt, held their noses some literally asked to take clothespins into the voting booths and voted for him, and against Le Pen.

The New Yorker

I literally asked to watch it twice in a row.

Los Angeles Times

And they literally asked me to do this.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Because there are people in there who are literally asking for death".

The New York Times - Magazine

"You had to literally ask what the prices and schedules were," Barton recalled recently.

The New Yorker

"We are literally asking people to stop their lives to support the bill," said Carlos Saavedra, president of the United We Dream coalition, a national immigrant student organization.

The New York Times

People who thought I didn't belong are saying, 'Stay in it.' " Sitting in that bar in Wrentham, beneath televisions broadcasting the Sox-free playoffs, Mr. Cahill said he had not forgotten how people around the state "were literally asking me how Kendra was".

The New York Times

"We literally ask people in the room to hum," he clarified.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "literally asked" to emphasize that a question or request was made directly and without figurative language. This helps avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "literally asked" excessively, as the word "literally" is sometimes misused for emphasis when something is not actually literal. Ensure the context warrants the literal meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "literally asked" functions as a verb phrase used to emphasize that someone directly and explicitly posed a question. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used to remove ambiguity and highlight the directness of the inquiry. It specifies the nature of the asking, focusing on its non-figurative quality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "literally asked" is a verb phrase used to emphasize the direct and explicit nature of a question or request. As indicated by Ludwig, it aims to remove any potential for misinterpretation by highlighting that the inquiry was straightforward and not figurative. While generally considered grammatically correct, overuse of "literally" can diminish its impact. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Remember to consider the context to ensure the emphasis provided by "literally" is warranted. Using alternative phrases like "explicitly inquired" or "directly requested" can provide variety and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

literally questioned

Mirrors the original phrase but replaces "asked" with "questioned".

specifically asked

Emphasizes the exact nature of the question or request.

directly requested

Focuses on the act of requesting something without ambiguity.

explicitly inquired

Replaces "literally asked" with a more formal tone, emphasizing directness.

directly put the question

Emphasizes the action of asking a question without hesitation.

unambiguously inquired

Stresses the clarity and lack of confusion in the inquiry.

formally requested

Highlights that the request was made in a formal or official manner.

pointedly questioned

Implies a sharp or focused inquiry.

plainly demanded

Suggests a firm and unambiguous request.

verbatim requested

Highlights that the request was made using specific words.

FAQs

How to use "literally asked" in a sentence?

Use "literally asked" to emphasize a direct and non-figurative question. For example, "He "literally asked" for the manager, not just hinted at it".

What can I say instead of "literally asked"?

You can use alternatives like "explicitly inquired", "directly requested", or "specifically asked" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "literally asked"?

While "literally" can sometimes be redundant, it adds emphasis to the directness of the question, clarifying it wasn't implied or suggested. Consider alternatives like "directly asked" for conciseness.

What's the difference between "literally asked" and "figuratively asked"?

"Literally asked" means a question was posed directly and without metaphor. "Figuratively asked" isn't a common phrase, but if used, it would imply a question was posed indirectly or through implication, consider "implied".