unasked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unasked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been asked or requested, often in the context of questions or inquiries. Example: "She offered her opinion on the matter, even though it was unasked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is thus keen to shift the offensive to Labour before the next election in 2015.In the ill-tempered hubbub, forensic questions about why mismanagement and poor performance are so rife and what to do about it go largely unasked at Westminster.

The Economist

But it's worth asking another question, one that often goes unasked, perhaps because the answer is assumed to be so obvious.

The Economist

Research in business schools, as anywhere else, is about expanding the boundaries of knowledge; it thrives on answering unasked questions.

The Economist

That has been the unasked question thundering in the background as McIlroy has been all but deified.

Independent

As with Althamer, the unasked question in all of this is where Zmijewski himself stands – what it means that he set up this experiment and filmed it, whether he is a force for good or a political Pavlov.

Independent

This was one of the many unanswered questions – often unasked, even – in this year's general election.

Independent

The unasked questions Although an inquiry is supposed to be investigative rather than adversarial, a weakness of the proceedings was the absence of anything that resembled a cross-examination.

Independent

After Etgar weighed the tomatoes and the cucumbers, his father would take up the bag, stick in a nice fat eggplant, unasked, and pass it over to Professor Tendler.

The New Yorker

The first is from Aïcha, who launches unasked into a denunciation of her Mecca-stupefied father and her useless brothers ("They get blind drunk on pastis and all the while they strut around pretending to be the guardians of the one true faith, and they treat me like a slut because I prefer to go out and work rather than marry some stupid bastard like them").

The New Yorker

Ball sums this up as "the price of nonconformity" and moves on, leaving unasked a broader question: how can invisibility function so well as both a fantasy of empowerment and a nightmare of powerlessness?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The era of unintentional, unasked-for or simply unacknowledged Internet sharing, it seemed, had come to an end.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unasked" to concisely convey that something was given, offered, or occurred without being explicitly requested. This can add a subtle nuance of spontaneity or unexpectedness to your writing.

Common error

While "unasked" and "unasked for" can sometimes be used interchangeably, "unasked" typically refers to questions or actions, while "unasked for" is often used to describe something unwanted or unwelcome. Ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unasked" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, indicating that something (like a question or action) occurred without being explicitly requested. Ludwig AI confirms the standard usage, showing the adjective modifying "questions", "opinions" etc.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unasked" functions as an adjective denoting something occurring without being requested or inquired about. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various sources. While synonyms like "unsolicited" and "unrequested" exist, "unasked" often implies a question or action that was not explicitly prompted. As highlighted by Ludwig, ensuring clarity in distinguishing "unasked" from "unasked for" enhances precision in writing. Its frequent presence in News & Media sources underscores its relevance in contemporary communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without being asked

A more literal and explicit way of saying "unasked".

unsolicited

Focuses on the act of giving or offering something without being asked.

unrequested

Highlights the lack of a formal request for something.

unbidden

A more formal or literary way of saying "unasked".

uninvited

Implies a lack of explicit invitation or permission.

without invitation

Stresses the lack of a formal invitation.

without prompting

Emphasizes the lack of need for encouragement or initiation.

without solicitation

Focuses on the lack of active seeking or requesting.

offered freely

Highlights the voluntary nature of providing something.

volunteered

Similar to 'offered freely', but emphasizes the act of volunteering.

FAQs

How can I use "unasked" in a sentence?

You can use "unasked" to describe questions that weren't posed or actions that were taken without a request. For example, "The most important questions remained "unasked"" or "She offered her opinion "unasked"".

What are some alternatives to the word "unasked"?

Some alternatives to "unasked" include "unsolicited", "unrequested", and "uninvited". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "unasked question" or "unasked for question"?

"Unasked question" is generally the correct and more common phrasing. "Unasked for question" might imply the question was unwelcome or inappropriate, but "unasked question" simply means it wasn't posed.

Is there a difference between "unasked" and "unsolicited"?

Yes, while both imply a lack of request, "unasked" is broader, referring to anything not requested, while "unsolicited" specifically refers to something given or offered without being asked for.