I was requested

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I was requested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has asked you to do something, or has asked for something from you. For example: "I was requested by my boss to complete the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I went above and beyond what I was requested to do".

The New Yorker

"On 18 July 2003," he begins, "I was requested by the Rt Hon Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the secretary of state for constitutional affairs, to conduct an inquiry into the death of Dr David Kelly... " From that first sentence, there's no fancy business.

The Guardian

I was requested to play it by three separate people that night.

Vice

I kept the knowledge secret for months, even from my own brothers, as I was requested to do.

Vice

Oh and since we are on the subject: a couple days before I was requested to record this mix both of my turntables died.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Assuming the content of c i is requested, the requesting vehicle V firstly gets the popularity value of c i from the roadside station (RPM).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

A scattered, stammering woman on the phone misunderstood the date I was requesting and then erroneously recorded the hour.

The New York Times - Food

The army press office was equally unaccommodating, although Gary Hill, the deputy press officer, did take the trouble to explain the difficulty with what I was requesting.

The Guardian

And, for the most part, they were way uptown, as high as 180th Street, way out of the area I was requesting".

The New York Times

"She produced a box of papers that were irrelevant to anything I was requesting," Finn told THUMP.

Vice

(Past OOPE participant, Public hospital, Northern KZN) "So when I came back to the UK I was much more sensible with what I was requesting, what tests I was doing.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was requested" in formal contexts or when emphasizing the passive nature of your role in the action.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "I was requested", as it can make your writing sound less direct and less engaging. Whenever possible, restructure the sentence to use active voice for more impactful communication. E.g. Instead of "I was requested to attend", try "They requested I attend."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was requested" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (I) received a request from an unspecified agent. This construction shifts the focus from the requester to the recipient and the action requested, aligning with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was requested" is a grammatically sound passive voice construction used to indicate that the speaker received a formal request or instruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally correct and usable in written English. Though appearing less frequently, its usage is primarily concentrated in formal contexts such as news, scientific publications, and business communications, emphasizing its role in conveying obligations and directives. When employing this phrase, clarity can be enhanced by explicitly specifying who made the request. Alternative phrases such as "I was asked" or "I received a request" may offer more direct or varied expression depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was asked

A more general term indicating a question or instruction was posed.

I received a request

Focuses on the receipt of a request rather than the action taken in response.

I was directed

Implies a clear and authoritative instruction, often from a superior.

A request was made of me

Emphasizes the act of requesting rather than the response.

I was instructed

Implies a more formal or authoritative directive.

I was tasked

Highlights the assignment of a specific task or responsibility.

I was called upon

Suggests a formal or ceremonial request, often for a specific duty.

I was designated

Suggests selection or appointment for a specific purpose or role.

I was prompted

Suggests a gentle encouragement or reminder to take action.

I was solicited

Indicates a formal or business-oriented request, often for services or goods.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was requested" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "They requested that I..." or "Someone asked me to...". These alternatives can make your writing more direct and engaging.

What's the difference between "I was asked" and "I was requested"?

"I was asked" is a more general term for receiving a question or instruction. "I was requested" implies a formal or specific request was made. Consider using "I was asked" in casual contexts, or when the request is not official.

Is it better to say "I was requested" or "I received a request"?

Both are correct, but "I was requested" emphasizes your role as the recipient of the request. "I received a request" focuses on the request itself. Choose based on what you want to highlight.

When is it appropriate to use "I was requested" in formal writing?

"I was requested" is suitable in formal writing when you want to emphasize that you were directed or asked to do something, often by someone in authority. Ensure the context clearly specifies who made the request.