what he asks

USAGE SUMMARY

'what he asks' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to questions or requests made by someone. For example, "I'm not sure what he asks of me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"From what?" he asks.

The New Yorker

And for what? he asks.

The New York Times

"What?" he asks defensively.

The New Yorker

"He remembers what he asks for.

The New York Times

"He did what?" he asks.

The Guardian - Sport

"Now what?" he asks quietly.

The New York Times

"Rents are down 5% or 10%; so what?" he asks.

The Economist

"Now what?" he asks, his voice edged with anxiety.

The Economist

"And I say wait for what?" he asks.

The New York Times

What, he asks, is a failed state?

The New York Times - Books

So what he asks for I do.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what he asks", ensure that the subsequent clause or sentence provides the answer or action related to the question or request. This ensures clarity and coherence.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly identifying who 'he' refers to. If the context doesn't make it obvious, specify the person's name or title to prevent confusion about whose requests are being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what he asks" functions as a nominal relative clause, acting as a noun phrase within a larger sentence. It typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, referring to the content of a request or question. Ludwig examples show it used to describe requests for funding or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what he asks" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that functions as a nominal relative clause. Ludwig AI confirms that it's commonly employed to refer to the specific content of someone's requests or inquiries. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media, but also in Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the referent of "he" is clear and the context appropriately addresses the content of the request. Alternatives like "what he requests" or "what he inquires" can be used to vary the phrasing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "what he asks" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what he requests

Replaces "asks" with "requests", maintaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

what he inquires

Substitutes "asks" with "inquires", suggesting a more formal and inquisitive tone.

what he demands

Replaces "asks" with "demands", implying a more forceful or insistent request.

what he seeks

Changes "asks" to "seeks", focusing on the objective or information being pursued.

what he wants to know

Rephrases "what he asks" to explicitly state the desire for knowledge or information.

what he proposes

Replaces "asks" with "proposes", suggesting a suggestion or plan being offered.

what he suggests

Substitutes "asks" with "suggests", implying a softer, less direct form of request.

what he stipulates

Replaces "asks" with "stipulates", indicating a condition or requirement being specified.

the question he poses

Rephrases "what he asks" to highlight the act of questioning or raising a point.

the things he wants

Changes "asks" to "wants", focusing on the desired outcomes or objects.

FAQs

How can I use "what he asks" in a sentence?

You can use "what he asks" to refer to someone's specific inquiries or requests. For example, "I'm not sure "what he asks" of me" or "Congress will go a lot farther on funding "what he asks" for than others".

What are some alternatives to "what he asks"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "what he requests", "what he inquires", or "what he demands".

Is it always necessary to specify who "he" is when using "what he asks"?

While not always mandatory, specifying who "he" is adds clarity, especially in contexts where multiple individuals are involved. If the referent is unclear, consider rephrasing for better understanding.

What's the difference between "what he asks" and "what he wants"?

"What he asks" refers specifically to questions or requests made by someone, while "what he wants" is broader, referring to desires or needs, which may not necessarily be explicitly communicated.