was asked

USAGE SUMMARY

"was asked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that someone was requested to do. Example: She was asked to leave the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Deichert was asked.

The New York Times

Belichick was asked.

The New York Times - Sports

the couple was asked.

The New York Times

Mr. Zeidler was asked.

The New York Times

Mr Poroshenko was asked.

Independent

Lundqvist was asked.

The New York Times - Sports

Really? he was asked.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Green was asked.

The New York Times

she was asked.

The New York Times

Again, he was asked why.

The Economist

"Why not?" he was asked.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was asked", ensure the context clearly indicates who was asked and what the question or request was.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "Someone asked him", use "He was asked" when the focus is on the person receiving the question.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "was asked" is to form the passive voice of the verb "ask" in the past tense. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received a question or request. Ludwig shows many examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was asked" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that someone received a question or request. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, mainly within the News & Media context. When using this phrase, ensure the passive voice is appropriate for your intended focus and avoid misusing active voice constructions. Consider alternatives such as "was questioned" or "received a question" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was questioned

Emphasizes a more formal or investigative context.

received a question

Focuses on the reception of a question rather than the act of asking.

had a question posed

Highlights that a question was presented for consideration.

was inquired of

A more formal and less common way of saying "was asked".

was called upon to answer

Emphasizes the obligation or expectation to respond.

faced an inquiry

Highlights the inquiry itself rather than the act of being asked.

was subjected to questioning

Implies a more intense or prolonged interrogation.

was prompted

Suggests a gentle urging or encouragement to speak.

underwent an interrogation

Similar to "was subjected to questioning" but even more formal and intense.

was interviewed

Indicates a structured conversation for gathering information.

FAQs

How is "was asked" used in a sentence?

"Was asked" is used to indicate that someone received a question or a request. For example, "He "was asked" about his opinion on the matter".

What are some alternatives to "was asked"?

Alternatives include "was questioned", "received a question", or "was inquired of", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "he was ask" instead of "he was asked"?

No, "he was ask" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "he "was asked"", using the past participle form of the verb "ask".

What's the difference between "was asked" and "asked"?

"Was asked" is in the passive voice, indicating someone received a question. "Asked" is in the active voice, indicating someone posed a question. For example, "He "was asked" a question" (passive) versus "He asked a question" (active).