they asked about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they asked about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to inquiries made by someone regarding a specific topic or subject. Example: "During the meeting, they asked about the progress of the project and any potential challenges we might face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 2012 a third of the 160 firms they asked about were rated "poor" or "very poor".

The Economist

They asked about the mice.

The Economist

They asked about our children.

The New York Times

They asked about Trump.

The Washington Post

They asked about the meaning of dreams.

The New Yorker

They asked about his occupation.

The New York Times

They asked about his private life.

The Guardian

They asked about the zippered portfolio.

The New York Times

They asked about my security arrangements.

The Guardian

They asked about abortion laws, and now war.

The Guardian - Opinion

When they asked about Lewis and Clark, he was blunt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they asked about" when you want to convey a direct and straightforward inquiry. It's suitable for most contexts, but consider more formal alternatives like "they inquired about" in professional settings.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "they" has a clear and unambiguous referent. If the context doesn't clearly identify who "they" refers to, rephrase to specify the individuals or groups doing the asking. For example, instead of "They asked about the budget", write "The board members asked about the budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they asked about" functions as a reporting clause to introduce the subject or topic of an inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

16%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they asked about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for reporting inquiries. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and demonstrates its versatility across various contexts. While appropriate for most situations, remember that more formal alternatives like "they inquired about" exist for professional settings. Pay attention to pronoun clarity to avoid ambiguity and ensure your writing is precise. By understanding its function and considering its alternatives, you can effectively communicate inquiries in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they inquired about

Replaces "asked" with the more formal "inquired", indicating a slightly more formal tone.

they wanted to know about

Expresses the inquiry as a desire to gain knowledge, using a simpler and more direct phrasing.

they questioned regarding

Substitutes "asked" with "questioned" and "about" with "regarding", offering a more direct and potentially investigative connotation.

they requested details regarding

Focuses on the act of requesting specific information or details.

they sought information on

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive expression, highlighting the intent to gather information.

they posed questions regarding

Replaces "asked" with "posed", suggesting a more deliberate and structured inquiry.

they explored the subject of

Highlights a broad and exploratory inquiry into a particular subject.

they made inquiries concerning

Uses a more formal and elaborate structure, emphasizing the act of formally inquiring.

they investigated the matter of

Shifts the focus to a more investigative approach, implying a deeper level of inquiry.

they probed into

Implies a thorough and potentially intrusive investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "they asked about" in a sentence?

You can use "they asked about" to report a question or inquiry someone made regarding a specific topic. For example, "During the meeting, "they asked about" the project's progress".

What are some alternatives to "they asked about"?

Alternatives include "they inquired about", "they questioned regarding", or "they wanted to know about". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "they asked of" instead of "they asked about"?

While "they asked of" is grammatically correct, it has a different meaning than "they asked about". "They asked of" implies a request or expectation, whereas ""they asked about"" refers to an inquiry or question.

What's the difference between "they asked about" and "they inquired into"?

"They asked about" generally refers to a simple question or inquiry. "They inquired into" suggests a more formal and thorough investigation or examination of a matter.