they asked us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they asked us" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where a group of people made a request or inquiry directed at you and others. Example: "During the meeting, they asked us if we could provide an update on the project status."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then they asked us inside.

The New York Times

"They asked us to hide them.

The New Yorker

They asked us to do it again.

The New York Times

They asked us very politely".

The New York Times - Style

That's their fault – they asked us.

The Guardian

They asked us what we wanted.

The Guardian

"They asked us," Mr. Schmelter said.

The New York Times

They asked us to keep our powder dry".

The New York Times

So which do we prefer, they asked us?

Independent

"They asked us to send back our autographs".

Independent

We didn't bring these people up; they asked us!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required in your writing. While "they asked us" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "they inquired of us".

Common error

Avoid using "they asked us" when the subject is unclear. Always ensure that the reader can easily identify who "they" refers to. If the subject is ambiguous, rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they asked us" functions as a clause element, specifically a verb phrase with a subject ("they") and an object ("us"). It indicates that a request or question was directed to the speaker and others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they asked us" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that a group made a request or inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely found in news and media, though less common in more formal settings where alternatives might be preferred. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, understanding the context and ensuring clarity in subject reference are key to effective use. Remember to choose alternative phrasing, such as "we were asked by them", for more formal scenarios or if you want to emphasize the passive construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were asked by them

Passive voice construction focusing on the recipient of the question.

they made a request to us

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of making a request.

they inquired of us

More formal and slightly archaic way of saying "they asked us".

they put the question to us

Emphasizes the act of posing a question or inquiry.

we received a query from them

Focuses on receiving the question or inquiry.

they came to us with a question

Describes the action of approaching with a question.

they addressed their question to us

Highlights the direction of the question towards the group.

they consulted us

Indicates that their asking involved a seek for information or advice.

they propositioned us

An offering of some deal to the recipient.

they solicited us

Implies a more formal or business-oriented request.

FAQs

What does "they asked us" mean?

The phrase "they asked us" means a group of people made a request, inquiry, or posed a question to the speaker and others as a collective. The context often determines the specific nature of the request or question.

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

You can use "they asked us" in sentences like, "They asked us to leave", or "They asked us for help". The phrase indicates a request or inquiry directed at the speaker and others.

What can I say instead of "they asked us"?

You can use alternatives like "we were asked by them", "they inquired of us", or "they made a request to us depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "they asked we" grammatically correct, or should I use "they asked us"?

"They asked we" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "they asked us", where "us" is the objective form of the pronoun "we". Always use "us" when it is the object of a verb or preposition.