we were asked by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were asked by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone requested something from a group that includes the speaker. Example: "We were asked by the committee to provide our feedback on the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"We were asked by the sheriff for this specific property," Glenn Greenspan, a spokesman for the club, said.

The New York Times - Sports

When he and his family visited the Great Wall outside Beijing, he said, "we were asked by everyone for photographs".

The New York Times

"We were asked by Apple to remove the ability to send Bitcoin from the iOS app," the company's co-founder, Rob Banagale, confirmed in a blog post.

The Guardian - Tech

A spokesperson from the distributor said: "We were asked by a number of retailers to cover up certain parts of the cover, and we complied with their requests".

The Guardian - Film

"We were asked by Jeremy Hunt for a plan to prevent childhood obesity over a year and a half ago," he said.

The Guardian

But no more, surely, than do the hecklers at PMQs, who do not stop, as we did, the moment we were asked by a bemused Classic FM presenter.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Unless we are asked by both parties to help," he said, "we can't get involved".

The New York Times

Every day, we are asked by tech startups how and where they can find good people.

The Guardian - Tech

Most of us know the situation where we're asked by a boss to do something that makes us uneasy.

The New York Times

That's probably the most popular question we're asked by people who have just discovered Triple Canopy (and by our parents).

The New Yorker

"Sometimes we're asked by a company to bring back ex-employees as temps," said Joanie Ruge, a senior vice president of Adecco.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "we were asked by", ensure that the context clearly indicates who made the request and what was requested. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were asked by" without clearly specifying who made the request. Vague attribution can diminish the credibility and impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were asked by" functions as a passive construction indicating that a request or instruction was given to the speaker(s). As shown by Ludwig, this construction emphasizes the source of the request rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were asked by" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that a request or instruction was given to a group including the speaker. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for different registers but is most commonly found in news media. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly attribute the request to its source. For alternative phrasing, consider "we received a request from" or "we were requested by" for more formal tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were requested by

This alternative uses a passive voice construction and focuses on the act of being requested.

we received a request from

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the receipt of a request.

we had been directed by

This alternative places emphasis on the direction received.

we were tasked by

This alternative highlights the assignment of a specific task.

we were prompted by

This alternative suggests a degree of prodding or encouragement to act.

we were charged by

This implies a formal charge or responsibility was given.

we were instructed by

This suggests a more formal and direct command or order.

we were authorized by

This alternative emphasizes the permission or approval granted by someone.

we were delegated by

This suggests that the task was specifically delegated to the speaker(s) by someone.

we were commissioned by

This indicates that a formal commission or assignment was given.

FAQs

How can I use "we were asked by" in a sentence?

Use "we were asked by" to indicate that a request or instruction came from a specific person or entity. For example, "We were asked by the client to revise the proposal."

What's a more formal alternative to "we were asked by"?

A more formal alternative is "we were requested by", which emphasizes the act of being requested in a passive voice.

Is it appropriate to use "we were asked by" in academic writing?

Yes, "we were asked by" is appropriate in academic writing, especially when detailing the process of research or collaboration. For example, "We were asked by the ethics committee to provide additional documentation."

Which is correct, "we were asked by" or "we had been asked by"?

"We had been asked by" indicates that the request happened at an earlier time relative to another event in the past. "We were asked by" is suitable for general statements about a request.