was asked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was asked for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something was requested or required by someone. Example: "The report was asked for by the manager during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Vivo was asked for detailed investment plans.

The Economist

No assistance was asked for from ourselves".

The Guardian

Everywhere she was asked for her passport.

The Guardian

She was asked for her opinion.

The New York Times - Sports

The writer was asked for a revision.

The New York Times

First, the Oracle was asked for a hint.

The New Yorker

He was asked for one word to describe it.

The New York Times - Sports

In their honour, the DJ was asked for Cuban salsa.

The Economist

When I had finished he was asked for his opinion.

The Guardian

Finally, Ms. Khan was asked for her opinion.

The New York Times

They just had to plant what was asked for.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was asked for", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the request and what was requested. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was asked for" with plural subjects. For example, instead of "The documents was asked for", use "The documents were asked for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was asked for" functions primarily as a passive construction of the verb 'ask', indicating that someone or something was the recipient of a request. As Ludwig AI explains, it conveys that a request or demand was made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was asked for" is a versatile and commonly used passive construction signifying that a request or demand was directed towards someone or something. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, this phrase serves to report a request, emphasizing the recipient of the request. While "was asked for" is generally appropriate, consider alternatives like "was requested" for more formal settings or "was required" to stress necessity. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement to avoid grammatical errors. Overall, it is a reliable and effective phrase for conveying information about requests and demands.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was requested

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of formally asking for something.

was required

This alternative emphasizes necessity, suggesting something was needed or obligatory.

was solicited

This alternative implies that effort was made to obtain something, often advice or opinions.

was sought

This alternative suggests a more active search or pursuit of something.

was inquired about

This alternative focuses on the act of asking a question or seeking information.

was petitioned for

This alternative indicates a formal request, often to an authority.

was called for

This alternative suggests a demand or need for something to happen.

was in demand

This alternative shifts the focus to popularity or high need, suggesting many people wanted it.

was applied for

This alternative refers to a formal application process.

was authorized

This alternative indicates a formal permission or approval was needed.

FAQs

How can I use "was asked for" in a sentence?

You can use "was asked for" to indicate that something was requested by someone. For instance, "The report "was asked for" by the manager."

What is a more formal alternative to "was asked for"?

A more formal alternative to "was asked for" is "was requested". This emphasizes a formal act of asking.

Is there a difference between "was asked for" and "was required"?

While both phrases indicate a need, "was asked for" implies a request, whereas "was required" suggests a necessity or obligation.

Can I use "was asked for" when something was demanded?

While "was asked for" generally implies a polite request, in contexts where a stronger demand is made, you might consider alternatives like "was demanded" or "was called for".