that was asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was asking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a previous statement or question that sought information or clarification. Example: "I remember a time when she said something that was asking for help, but I didn't realize it then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

With tens of billions of dollars hanging in the balance, that was asking too much, he said.

The New York Times

As they exited, one of the pressmen grabbed Irons by the arm and asked, "Who's that lady that was asking all the questions up there?" "Virginia Woolf," I answered.

The New Yorker

The actor's illness first came to light in 2014 when she agreed to take part in an appeal in Manchester that was asking patients and carers to help improve standards of care.

The Guardian

I had a creamy white-skinned squash on my counter that was asking to be used and the remaining half bunch of cavolo nero from a pasta I had made the other night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He argued that the parents were asking for a more restrictive setting for Jane, then had to admit that he was wrong; it was the city that was asking for a more restrictive setting.

The New York Times

In retrospect, he said, when he realized that no reporters were in the room and it was the agency's staff that was asking questions, he should have called off the news conference.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"That's the question that was asked.

The New York Times

Thein Sein did everything that was asked of him.

The Economist

Did the job that was asked of him.

BBC

They did everything that was asked of them," said Vidic.

BBC

He answered every question that was asked of him.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was asking" to refer back to a specific query or request made in the past, ensuring clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that was asking" when referring to a current or future action; use "that is asking" or "that will be asking" instead to maintain correct tense agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was asking" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about it. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing a question, a person, or a thing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was asking" is a grammatically correct relative clause used to provide additional information about a past inquiry or request. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is indeed usable in written English and can be found across a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. While alternatives such as "that inquired" or "that requested" may be suitable in more formal settings, "that was asking" maintains a neutral register and is widely understood. Be mindful of maintaining tense agreement and avoid using it to refer to present or future actions. Overall, its usage is quite common and poses minimal risk of misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that inquired

Replaces "asking" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of seeking information.

that requested

Focuses on the aspect of making a specific request rather than a general inquiry.

that questioned

Highlights the act of posing a question to elicit a response.

that sought

Emphasizes the active pursuit of information or assistance.

that appealed

Suggests a more urgent or persuasive form of asking.

that interrogated

Implies a more intensive and potentially formal questioning.

that demanded

Conveys a sense of authority or insistence in the asking.

that prompted

Highlights the act of initiating a question or request.

that solicited

Emphasizes the act of formally requesting or seeking something.

that explored

Suggests an attempt to uncover or understand something through questioning.

FAQs

How can I use "that was asking" in a sentence?

Use "that was asking" to refer to a question or request made in the past. For example, "The person "that was asking" me for help is no longer here".

What are some alternatives to "that was asking"?

You can use alternatives like "that inquired", "that requested", or "that questioned" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives such as "that inquired" or "that requested" could be used in more formal contexts.

Which is correct, "that was asking" or "who was asking"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "That was asking" refers to a specific question or request, while "who was asking" refers to a person who was making a request or inquiry.

What's the difference between "that was asking" and "that is asking"?

"That was asking" refers to a past action, while "that is asking" refers to a present action. For example, "The question "that was asking" about the budget has already been answered," versus "The question "that is asking" about the budget will be addressed shortly".