when asked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when asked for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a request for information or items that someone has been asked to provide. Example: "The documents will be provided when asked for during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When asked for your opinion, give it.

Columbia University

Sabathia laughed when asked for his preference.

The New York Times

When asked for details, they only laugh.

The New York Times

They shrug when asked for a reaction.

The New York Times - Sports

When asked for "Installation Mode" select Traditional Mode.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When asked for his specialty, Mrs. Salvemini interrupted.

The New York Times

When asked for details, Mr. Tsiskaridze smiled sweetly.

The New York Times - Arts

"Of course," he said when asked for a photo.

The New York Times - Magazine

When asked for reasons, Bynes began to answer.

The New York Times - Sports

When asked for his favorite writers, he replies, "My father".

The New Yorker

When asked for an explanation, county officials would not comment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when asked for", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the asking and what is being requested. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "when asked for" without specifying what was requested. For instance, instead of saying "They hesitated when asked for", specify "They hesitated "when asked for" their credentials".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when asked for" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the circumstances under which an action occurred. Ludwig AI examples show it clarifying responses to inquiries or requests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when asked for" is a versatile adverbial phrase that clearly indicates a response or action taken following a request. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and enjoys widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic and scientific domains. To ensure clarity, specify the agent doing the asking and the object being requested. While the phrase is broadly applicable, maintaining context-appropriate tone is key. The provided alternatives, such as "upon being queried about" or "if inquired about", offer options for varying formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on being asked

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the core concept of being questioned.

upon being queried about

Replaces "when asked" with a more formal "upon being queried", while retaining the core meaning.

if inquired about

A shorter, more direct alternative focusing on the act of asking.

if questioned regarding

Substitutes "when asked for" with a conditional "if questioned", emphasizing the hypothetical aspect of the inquiry.

when prompted to provide

Emphasizes the act of encouragement or initiation in requesting the information.

in response to a question about

Offers a more verbose alternative, highlighting the reactive nature of providing information.

if solicited for

Uses a more formal tone, suggesting that the information was actively sought out.

following an inquiry regarding

Implies a slightly more formal or investigative approach to the questioning.

in cases where it was requested

Adds conditionality, focusing on the request instead of the act of asking.

when the subject was raised

Shifts the focus from asking to simply introducing the topic.

FAQs

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

Use "when asked for" to indicate a response or action taken after a request. For example, "She provided her identification "when asked for" it by the officer".

What are some alternatives to "when asked for"?

Alternatives include "upon request", "if requested", or "when requested", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "when asked to" instead of "when asked for"?

The phrases have different meanings. "When asked to" implies being requested to perform an action, while ""when asked for"" implies being requested to provide something, like information or an item.

What's the difference between "when asked for" and "upon being asked for"?

"When asked for" is more common and informal. "Upon being asked for" is more formal and emphasizes the moment of the request. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.