my dad asked me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my dad asked me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when recounting a conversation or a request made by your father. Example: "My dad asked me if I could help him with the gardening this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

My dad asked me the straight question, 'Are you suicidal?'.

Independent

My dad asked me to drive him to the store.

The New York Times

The other day my dad asked me if I ever feel forced to wear it and my answer was no.

Independent

My dad asked me if I could run the shop, and I said sure.

The New York Times

"In high school, my dad asked me about Butler," said Hayward, who was not highly recruited until a late growth spurt.

The New York Times - Sports

Once we were a good distance away, my dad asked me if I knew who we had just met.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

I vividly remember my Dad asking me to come and watch something with him one evening, simply saying "I can't tell if this is real or not".

Vice

"Sometimes I stay away for a week, but my dad asks me to come back," he adds.

Unicef

"My mum and dad asked me where I was going and I said I didn't know," she recalls.

Independent

I just had a busy dad ask me this question.

Huffington Post

When my dad asked if he could come visit me on the set, I said no.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my dad asked me", ensure the context clearly indicates what was asked. Providing the specific question or the topic of inquiry enhances clarity and engagement for the reader.

Common error

Avoid consistently reporting everything your dad asks in indirect speech. Sometimes, using direct quotations adds authenticity and immediacy to the narrative. For example, instead of "My dad asked me if I was happy", consider "My dad asked me, 'Are you happy?'"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my dad asked me" functions as a clause introducing reported speech or a narrative element. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and serves to recount a question, request, or inquiry made by the speaker's father.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my dad asked me" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for introducing a question or statement from one's father. As Ludwig AI explains, it is suitable for various contexts, although it leans towards a neutral or slightly informal register due to the use of "dad". When writing, make sure to consider alternative phrasing such as "my father inquired of me" for more formal situations, and be mindful of balancing direct and indirect quotations for narrative impact. The phrase is frequently found in news media and personal narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my dad questioned me about

Substitutes "asked" with "questioned about", emphasizing the nature of the inquiry.

my dad posed a question to me

Uses "posed a question" instead of "asked", providing a slightly more formal tone.

my father inquired of me

Replaces "dad" with the more formal "father" and "asked" with "inquired of", increasing formality.

my dad turned to me and asked

Adds a more descriptive element, emphasizing the act of turning to someone before asking.

my dad wanted to know from me

Replaces "asked" with "wanted to know", focusing on the father's desire for information.

my dad quizzed me

Implies a more thorough or challenging form of questioning.

my dad requested information from me

Replaces "asked" with "requested information", making the statement more formal and specific.

my dad said to me

A simpler and direct alternative, focusing on the act of speaking.

dad put the question to me

Uses more informal word "dad" and more formal word "put the question", is a slightly different and less common phrasing.

my dad consulted me

Suggests seeking advice or opinion, rather than simply asking a question.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "my dad asked me" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "my father inquired of me" or "my father posed a question to me". These options replace the informal "dad" with "father" and use more sophisticated vocabulary for "asked".

What's a more direct alternative to "my dad asked me"?

A direct and simple alternative is "my dad said to me". This option focuses on the act of speaking rather than the specific nature of the question.

Is "my dad asked me" grammatically correct?

Yes, "my dad asked me" is grammatically correct and commonly used in everyday English. According to Ludwig, this phrase is perfectly acceptable for recounting a conversation or request.

What can I say instead of "my dad asked me" if I want to emphasize the type of question?

If you want to emphasize the nature of the inquiry, you could use phrases like "my dad questioned me about" or "my dad quizzed me". These alternatives highlight that the inquiry was more probing or challenging than a simple request for information.