a request for help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a request for help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone for assistance or support in a particular situation. Example: "I submitted a request for help to the customer service team regarding my account issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The prelude to a request for help?

The Guardian - Business

Turn a request for help into a negotiation.

Harvard Business Review

They rode the rails to Atlanta, where Silas sent a request for help to Chandler's relatives.

The New York Times

Should a request for help be turned down if it comes from a campaign contributor?

The New York Times

He says that the government is ready if the company submits a request for help.

The Guardian

Would a request for help be seen as a critical weakness?

The Guardian

Finally came a request for help as they realized they could not fight Ebola alone.

The Washington Post

He also has tremendous sympathy for the crime victims and their families and rarely turns down a request for help.

The New York Times

And those men need to learn to accept this for what it is; a request for help, not an attack.

The Guardian - Opinion

A request for help went out to the entire complex Sunday, and before long help arrived with equipment and supplies.

The Washington Post

The First Crusade, called in response to a request for help from the Byzantine emperor Alexius Comnenus, was astonishingly successful.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When making "a request for help", be specific about what you need and why. This increases the likelihood of receiving effective assistance.

Common error

Avoid making overly general requests such as "I need help with this project." Instead, specify the exact task or area where you require assistance to avoid ambiguity and ensure relevant support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a request for help" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the act of asking for assistance or support. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s usable in written English and serves to solicit aid in various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a request for help" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the need for assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, from formal to informal. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves the communicative purpose of eliciting aid. While predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and business contexts. To use the phrase effectively, be specific and clear about your needs, and consider alternative phrases like "a plea for assistance" or "seeking assistance" depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plea for assistance

Replaces 'request' with 'plea' and 'help' with 'assistance', emphasizing urgency.

a call for aid

Uses 'call' instead of 'request' and 'aid' instead of 'help', suggesting a more formal appeal.

a need for support

Shifts from asking to highlighting the necessity of support.

an appeal for assistance

Uses 'appeal' instead of 'request', which is a more formal term.

a solicitation of aid

Replaces 'request' with 'solicitation', indicating a formal seeking of assistance.

a cry for assistance

Emphasizes the urgency and desperation of the need.

a demand for assistance

Conveys a stronger, more assertive need for help.

seeking assistance

A more concise way of expressing the act of requesting help.

looking for aid

A simpler, more informal way to say "a request for help".

assistance needed

A very brief and direct expression of the requirement.

FAQs

How can I phrase "a request for help" more formally?

You can use alternatives like "a plea for assistance", "an appeal for assistance", or "a solicitation of aid" depending on the context and the level of formality required.

What's the difference between "a request for help" and "a cry for help"?

"A request for help" is a general term for seeking assistance. "A cry for help" implies a more urgent or desperate situation, often suggesting emotional distress or a critical need.

Is it appropriate to use "a request for help" in professional communication?

Yes, "a request for help" is perfectly appropriate in professional communication. However, ensure your request is clear, concise, and includes all necessary information for the recipient to understand and respond effectively.

What are some less formal alternatives to "a request for help"?

Less formal alternatives include "seeking assistance", "looking for aid", or simply stating "assistance needed". The choice depends on your relationship with the person you're asking and the context of the situation.