was a key ask

USAGE SUMMARY

'was a key ask' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a particular request was an important part of the conversation. For example, "The customer's need for a rapid delivery time was a key ask during the negotiation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This artisle originally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

Those readers who are on graduate-student committees will probably have seen instances in which the initial project was a key question to be asked in the supervisor's research programme, but was simply too hard to be the basis of a starting-out project.

Nature

The third question will likely be a key one — it asks how Google Voice fits in with the classifications in the Communications Act of 1934, and if Google competes with any services classified as "telecommunications services".

TechCrunch

Preparation is a key element when asking for a pay raise.

WikiHow

If they don't wanna do this, then you must respect that, communication is the key, ask them if that's what THEY want to do.

WikiHow

Your attitude to volatility is a key question you need to ask yourself when you're considering whether to be a stock market investor at all," he says.

Independent

Your attitude to volatility is a key question you need to ask yourself when you're considering whether to be a stockmarket investor at all," he says.

Independent

Then, this is key, ask your supervisor, colleagues, family, partner, therapist or friends (whoever you trust) to hold you accountable to these boundaries.

Forbes

So here's a key question family members can ask before the surgeon starts scrubbing, especially if their older relative is frail enough to require nursing home care: Is there any alternative to surgery we could try?

The New York Times

So here's a key question family members can ask before the surgeon starts scrubbing, especially if their older relative is frail enough to require nursing home care: Is there any alternative to surgery we could try? "We think of appendicitis as a surgical disease — you take it out," Dr. Finlayson said.

The New York Times

As quality is a key factor, the participants were asked to take into account color, contrast, naturalness, and details as a whole as these parameters are well known for characterizing an image [25].

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was a key ask", ensure the context clearly establishes who made the request and why it was essential to the situation. This clarifies the importance of the ask.

Common error

Avoid using "was a key ask" when the request was merely desirable but not truly essential. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact when a truly critical request is made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was a key ask" functions as a predicate nominative, identifying the subject with a crucial request or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English. The phrase emphasizes the importance of the specified 'ask'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was a key ask" is a phrase used to emphasize the importance of a specific request or requirement. Ludwig AI states it is usable in written English. While grammatically correct, it is relatively rare and may be considered less formal than alternatives like "was a primary requirement" or "was a critical request". It is most commonly found in news and media sources but can also be used in scientific and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains the request and its significance to avoid overstating its importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was a primary requirement

Replaces "key ask" with a more formal term, emphasizing the essential nature of the request.

was a critical request

Substitutes "key" with "critical", highlighting the importance and urgency of the request.

was an essential demand

Replaces "ask" with "demand", suggesting a more forceful or non-negotiable request.

was a fundamental need

Shifts the focus to the underlying need rather than the explicit request.

was a vital component

Emphasizes the necessity of the request as part of a larger process or system.

was a significant requirement

Uses "significant requirement" to underscore the importance of the ask.

was a crucial element

Highlights that the request was an indispensable aspect.

was a top priority

Indicates that the request received immediate attention and importance.

was a major consideration

Emphasizes the importance of the ask in decision-making.

was of paramount importance

Uses a more formal and emphatic expression to convey the high level of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "was a key ask" in a sentence?

You can use "was a key ask" to highlight the importance of a specific request or requirement in a given situation. For instance, "Meeting the deadline "was a key ask" from the client to ensure project success".

What are some alternatives to "was a key ask"?

Alternatives include "was a primary requirement", "was a critical request", or "was an essential demand depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey".

Is it appropriate to use "was a key ask" in formal writing?

While "was a key ask" is understandable, it might be perceived as less formal. In highly formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives such as "was a significant requirement" or "was of paramount importance".

Can "was a key ask" be used interchangeably with "was a key question"?

No, these phrases have different meanings. "Was a key ask" refers to a request, while "was a key question" refers to an important inquiry. Using them interchangeably would be grammatically incorrect and confusing.