when being asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'when being asked' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing a description of an action someone is taking in response to a request or query. For example, "He hesitated briefly when being asked to give his opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

His usual arsenal was quite useless in this setting, perhaps because it is rather difficult to fall back on sophistry when being asked to guess the vegetable being described (it was a courgette).

The Guardian

Can she cooperate when being asked to share?

The New York Times

That means no minder on hand, presumably, when being asked these questions.

The New York Times

"When being asked to explain the valuation, not a single banking representative mentioned it.

Independent

And one member commented that Mr Yates had appeared "tetchy" when being asked about the force's failure to act last year.

Independent

Lowlight In a cutaway, being seen ticking things off on his pad with his pen; and sneering a little too readily when being asked about millionaires.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Wait a minute, since when are Ask.com engineers such a hot piece of property?

TechCrunch

Finally, when you are asked, supply your email address when you are asked to complete the account creation process.

WikiHow

When you are asked, you respond".

The New York Times - Sports

You just pitch when you're asked".

The New York Times

Curran was circumspect when he was asked.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when being asked" to clearly indicate that an action or statement is a direct response to a question, providing context for the action.

Common error

Avoid using "when being asked" if the actor is unclear, as this can lead to ambiguity. Ensure it's evident who is being asked and who is performing the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when being asked" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action occurs. As Ludwig AI explains, it introduces a situation where an action is a direct response to a question.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

42%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when being asked" functions as an adverbial clause specifying the timing of an action as a direct response to a question. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. It's most frequently found in neutral contexts such as News & Media and Science, with a neutral register adaptable to various writing styles. When using "when being asked", ensure clarity about who is being asked to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "upon being questioned" or "in response to the question", depending on the desired level of formality. The phrase is generally well-regarded for its clear and direct way of linking inquiries and responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when queried

Slightly more formal synonym for "asked".

upon being questioned

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of questioning.

when prompted for a response

More elaborate and emphatic, drawing attention to the need for a reply.

in response to the question

More explicit and formal, specifying a direct response.

in answer to the query

Stresses that what follows is a direct answer.

when interrogated

Stronger connotation, implying a formal or intense questioning.

if prompted

Implies a need for encouragement or a cue to respond.

on being polled

Specifically refers to answering a poll or survey.

after the inquiry

Highlights the sequence of events, placing emphasis on the question preceding the response.

given the request

Emphasizes that an action follows from a request having been made.

FAQs

How do I use "when being asked" in a sentence?

Use "when being asked" to introduce a situation where someone is responding to a question. For example, "He hesitated "when being asked" about his whereabouts."

What are some alternatives to "when being asked"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "upon being questioned", "in response to the question", or "when queried", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is it more formal to say "when being asked" or "after being asked"?

"When being asked" and "after being asked" are both grammatically correct, but "after being asked" implies a sequence of events where the action occurs after the question, while ""when being asked"" suggests the action is a direct response.

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

"When being asked" implies that the question was actually posed, and the response followed. "If asked" presents a hypothetical situation, indicating what would happen should the question be asked.