they were asked

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were asked" is a perfectly fine and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone, or a group of people, were asked to do something. For example: "The students were asked to bring their own supplies to the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'Why?' they were asked.

Independent

they were asked.

The New York Times - Sports

"The Lakers?" they were asked.

The New York Times

They were asked by the F.B.I.

The New York Times

They were asked to answer a question.

The Economist

They were asked to drop it.

The New York Times

They were asked about concussions.

The New York Times - Sports

And they were asked countless questions.

The Guardian - Books

They were asked to leave immediately.

The New Yorker

They were asked to remove me forthwith.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Additionally, they were asked for feedback on the brand itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were asked" in contexts where the asker is less important than the fact of the asking. It's a good choice for focusing on the recipients of the question or request.

Common error

Avoid using "they were asked" when the actor is known and important. In such cases, using an active voice construction (e.g., "The teacher asked them") provides clearer and more direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were asked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (they) received an action (being asked). Ludwig shows numerous instances where this phrase introduces a question or request directed at a group of people. This construction is useful when the asker is unknown or less important than the recipients of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were asked" is a versatile and common phrase used to indicate that a group of individuals received a question, request, or instruction. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently across various contexts, from news reports to scientific publications. Its passive voice construction makes it particularly useful for focusing on the recipients of the action rather than the actor. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, writers should be mindful of choosing active voice when clarity and directness are preferred. Furthermore, using related alternatives like "they were questioned" or "they were requested" can add nuance and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were questioned

Replaces "asked" with "questioned", emphasizing a more formal or investigative context.

they had been asked

Uses past perfect to show the action was completed before another action.

they were polled

Suggests a survey or structured questioning process.

they were interviewed

Implies a more in-depth and conversational questioning process.

they were requested

Highlights a formal request rather than a simple question.

they were prompted

Focuses on initiating a response or action from them.

they were called upon

Emphasizes a sense of duty or obligation to respond.

they faced inquiries

Indicates that "they" were subject to a formal investigation.

questions were put to them

Inverts the structure, emphasizing the questions themselves.

they were canvassed

Indicates a systematic solicitation of opinions or votes.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were asked" to be more direct?

You can use active voice constructions such as "someone asked them", or specify who asked the question. For example, "The interviewer asked them about their experience" is more direct than "they were asked about their experience".

What's the difference between "they were asked" and "they were questioned"?

"They were asked" is a general term for being inquired. "They were questioned" implies a more formal or investigative context, often suggesting scrutiny or suspicion.

Is "they were asked to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were asked to" is grammatically correct when followed by a verb. For example, "They were asked to submit their reports by Friday".

What are some alternatives to "they were asked" in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "they were requested", "they were prompted", or "inquiries were made of them", depending on the specific context.