who asked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who asked for" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used in questions to inquire about the person who made a request or demanded something. Example: "The teacher asked for the students who were absent yesterday to come and speak with her after class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Who asked for the split?

The New York Times

Those who asked for euros were applauded.

The New York Times

Those who asked for songs found their requests ignored.

The Economist

To which Hundal replied: "Who asked for your opinion?

Independent

SORRY, but who asked for a second helping?

The Economist

He's the one who asked for the restrictions.

The New York Times

Women who asked for raises were often turned down.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Hello," he said, to someone who asked for him.

The New York Times

Pity the poor fellow who asked for grilled salmon.

The New York Times

"Ninety percent of those who asked for it got it.

The New York Times

Mr. O'Connor said he planned to discreetly send checks to his friends who asked for help.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "who asked for" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly identifies the individual or group making the request to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The committee reviewed the proposals from those who asked for funding."

Common error

Avoid using "who asked for" when the subject is not a person or group of people. It's incorrect to say "The policy who asked for changes," instead use "The policy that asked for changes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who asked for" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about the person or people who made a request. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who asked for" is a grammatically correct and versatile relative clause used to identify or inquire about the source of a request. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal settings. While "who asked for" is generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "who requested" or "at whose request" may be suitable for certain situations. Remember to avoid using "who asked for" when referring to inanimate objects; "that" or "which" are more appropriate in those cases. The phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post, underscoring its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who requested

Replaces "asked for" with the synonym "requested", keeping the overall structure intact but offering a more formal tone.

who inquired about

Substitutes "asked for" with "inquired about", shifting the nuance towards a general inquiry rather than a specific request.

who put in a request for

Rephrases "asked for" as "put in a request for", adding emphasis to the formal process of making a request.

at whose request

Transforms the question into a passive construction, focusing on the originator of the request.

who was seeking

Replaces "asked for" with "was seeking", suggesting a more proactive search or pursuit.

who had need of

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic construction to express the need or requirement for something.

who desired

Substitutes "asked for" with "desired", conveying a stronger sense of wanting or wishing.

who expressed interest in

Rephrases the query to focus on expressing interest rather than making a direct request.

from whom did the request originate

Transforms the sentence into a question about the origin of the request, using a more formal tone.

by whose asking

Uses a less common and more stylized phrasing to indicate the person who initiated the request.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "who asked for" to sound more formal?

You can use alternatives like "who requested", "at whose request", or "from whom did the request originate depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "who asked for"?

Yes, it's incorrect to use "who asked for" when referring to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. Use "that" or "which" instead. For example, instead of "the policy who asked for changes", use "the policy that asked for changes".

What's a less formal way to say "who asked for"?

In informal contexts, you can often simply use "who wanted" or "who needed" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

Can "who asked for" be used in both questions and statements?

Yes, "who asked for" can be used in both questions (e.g. "Who asked for the report?") and statements (e.g. "He's the one who asked for the restrictions").