schools were asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "schools were asked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a request or survey directed at schools for their input or participation in a study or initiative. Example: "In the recent survey, schools were asked to provide feedback on the new curriculum changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Local authorities, police forces and schools were asked to observe the silence.

The Guardian

Schools were asked to respond to the statement "Why we can't live without books" in any way they wanted.

The Guardian

ABC Capricornia reported that students from local schools were asked to paint bull statues in the centre of the city for Beef Australia, including one statue that "celebrates the cultural diversity of the Rockhampton community".

The Guardian

"But what happens when researchers at the same university publish medical studies without acknowledging that they were written by somebody else?" The medical schools were asked to answer the questions by Dec. 8.

The New York Times

The bill failed to pass in that session, and schools were asked to submit the data to the state on a voluntary basis, since many of them collect it anyway.

The Guardian

In the test, formally known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress in Arts, administrators at 260 public and private schools were asked how much time they devoted to art and music instruction, and 7,900 eighth-grade students were tested on art and music concepts, a small sample compared with other federal assessments.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Public schools were asking, "How do we know this is working?" We brought together Jan Riggsbee (Education), Lorrie Schmid (Social Science Research Institute), Yasmine White of Voices Together and an undergraduate team.

Duke University

Local areas are rife with stories of parents in the richest schools being asked for donations to subsidise core provision.

The Guardian

Schools are asked to form a committee to evaluate what opportunities are available for children to exercise.

The Guardian

But with schools being asked to raise students to higher standards, evaluate teachers more rigorously and compete internationally, education advocates say funding cuts are devastating.

The New York Times

"Schools are asked to comply with N.C.A.A. rules, but at the same time, they don't have the power to control the speech of these individuals," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "schools were asked", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the asking and what information or action is being requested.

Common error

Avoid using "schools were asked" without specifying the requesting entity. Ambiguity can arise if it is unclear who initiated the request, weakening the sentence's clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "schools were asked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that schools received a request or inquiry. Ludwig's examples show it frequently introduces surveys, data collection efforts, and participation requests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "schools were asked" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate that schools received a request or inquiry. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is frequently encountered in scientific studies, news reports, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the requester and the nature of the request are evident. Alternatives like "schools were invited" or "schools were requested" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "schools were asked" to convey information accurately and professionally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

schools were invited

Replaces "asked" with "invited", implying a more positive or voluntary request.

schools were requested

Substitutes "asked" with "requested", indicating a more formal or official request.

schools received a request

Shifts the focus to the schools receiving the request rather than the act of asking.

schools were surveyed

Specifies the type of inquiry as a survey, limiting the context.

schools were polled

Specifies the type of inquiry as a poll, focusing on gathering opinions.

schools were consulted

Emphasizes seeking advice or opinions from the schools.

schools were prompted

Suggests that schools were encouraged or stimulated to take action.

schools were approached

Focuses on the act of contacting the schools with a specific purpose.

schools were canvassed

Implies a thorough or systematic survey of the schools.

schools were directed

Indicates a more authoritative instruction given to the schools.

FAQs

How can I use "schools were asked" in a sentence?

Use "schools were asked" to indicate that schools received a request or inquiry. For example, "In the study, "schools were asked" to provide data on student performance".

What can I say instead of "schools were asked"?

You can use alternatives like "schools were invited", "schools were requested", or "schools received a request" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "schools were asked"?

While "schools were asked" uses passive voice, it's suitable when the actor is less important than the recipient of the action. If the actor is important, use active voice: "The researchers asked the schools".

What is the difference between "schools were asked" and "schools are asking"?

"Schools were asked" indicates a past action where a request was made to schools. "Schools are asking" indicates a current action where schools are making a request. The tense and the direction of the request are different.