meekly asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meekly asking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is asking in a humble or submissive manner. Example: "She approached her boss, meekly asking for a day off to attend her sister's wedding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But in the same note he meekly asked for a hundred thousand dollars for Al Qaeda.

The New Yorker

I wondered whether a bottle of perfume could be worth so much, and meekly asked if I could try it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(After hours of testimony, Berenson meekly asked to have his tea; the women in the audience cooed, "Isn't he just too sweet").

The New Yorker

The tribunal meekly asked the prosecution to "look into the matter", which found that the story of an abduction had been fabricated.

The Economist

At the counter, I pointed to a cookie in the jar and meekly asked, "How much?" The man behind the counter was handing a customer a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup.

The New York Times

Like them, he has meekly asked for forgiveness, understanding and whatever spare cash happens to be lying around.

Forbes

Even if it wasn't, Jennifer meekly asks the members of Low Shoulder if they're rapists once she notices something isn't right in their tour van.

Vice

When the moment did come, I nervously ordered us a few pints before I had the courage to fetch the glass out of my handbag and go downstairs to meekly ask the bartender to pour a pint into it.

Huffington Post

I let out an audible groan and meekly asked the clerk how much the bear cost, knowing that because we had ruined it, we would now be buying it.

Huffington Post

Once I approached this mystical haven (or the food stand) I'd meekly ask "Can I please have a cup of ice?" Who knows what he was thinking, but regardless, he'd fill up a big red paper cup with the coolest, meltiest ice for me every day, and I would hold onto it like it was my soul.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meekly asking" to depict a character who is shy, humble, or in a subordinate position. It adds depth to character portrayal by showing their demeanor.

Common error

Avoid using "meekly asking" when describing someone in a position of authority or when the context requires assertiveness. It can create a jarring contrast and weaken the impact of the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meekly asking" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. "Meekly" describes how the asking is done, indicating a humble or submissive manner. Ludwig confirms that this is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "meekly asking" is a grammatically sound construction used to describe a humble or submissive manner of making a request. According to Ludwig, its correctness is confirmed. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, this adverbial phrase effectively conveys the speaker's demeanor, adding depth to character portrayal. While not particularly common, as indicated by the limited examples found, it's a useful tool for portraying characters in a subordinate or unassuming position. When writing, be mindful of the context, avoiding overuse in assertive scenarios. Instead, consider semantically similar alternatives like "humbly requesting" or "politely requesting" for diverse expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humbly requesting

Replaces "meekly" with "humbly", emphasizing a sense of humility rather than submissiveness.

deferentially inquiring

Substitutes both words to highlight respect and deference in the act of asking.

politely requesting

Replaces "meekly" with "politely", focusing on courtesy rather than submissiveness.

timidly asking

Replaces "meekly" with "timidly", emphasizing shyness or fear in the asking.

submissively asking

Replaces "meekly" with "submissively", highlighting a sense of yielding or obedience.

quietly asking

Focuses on the soft or subdued manner of asking, replacing "meekly" with a description of the voice.

hesitantly asking

Emphasizes the pause or uncertainty before asking, rather than the manner of asking itself.

gently asking

Highlights the soft and delicate nature of the request, replacing "meekly" with an adjective focusing on gentleness.

mildly inquiring

Replaces both words to soften the tone of the asking, suggesting a lack of intensity.

softly inquiring

Focuses on the low volume or gentleness of the inquiry, similar to "quietly asking".

FAQs

What does "meekly asking" imply about the speaker?

The phrase "meekly asking" suggests the speaker is being humble, timid, or submissive in their request. It indicates a lack of assertiveness and possibly a lower status relative to the person they are addressing.

How can I use "meekly asking" in a sentence?

You can use "meekly asking" to describe someone's manner of making a request, for example: "She approached her boss, "meekly asking" for a day off."

What are some alternatives to "meekly asking"?

Some alternatives to "meekly asking" include "humbly requesting", "politely requesting", or "timidly asking", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "meekly asking" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "meekly asking" when you want to portray a character or person as being submissive, shy, or respectful in their manner of making a request. It is often used to depict power dynamics or personality traits.