a request was made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a request was made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that someone has formally asked for something. Example: "After the meeting, a request was made for additional resources to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr Cameron declined to comment after a request was made to the No 10 press office.

Independent

As a result, a request was made to "the president of the German Bundestag to lift the president's immunity".

The New York Times

During the early stages of the Hutton inquiry, a request was made to have the proceedings televised.

The Guardian

The Giants are prohibited by league rules from either confirming or denying if such a request was made.

The New York Times - Sports

Unusually for a theatre, a request was made for phones to be turned on, so the message could be circulated more widely.

The Guardian

It was quickly agreed that the tall man could be Osama bin Laden, and a request was made through the chain of command to launch a Hellfire.

The New Yorker

That same day the department told the Senate inquiry the transfer had been approved immediately after a request was made by IHMS the previous day.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Evans said such details could be obtained "within three hours" of a request being made.

Independent

Once a request is made, "the county canvassing board may authorize a manual recount.

The New York Times

If a request is made, a live or telephone hearing is to be held within 24 hours of the request.

The Guardian - Sport

A judge has authorized that a request be made to Brazil for the extradition of former President Alfredo Stroessner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a request was made", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the request, even if the actor is not explicitly named in the sentence. This prevents ambiguity and maintains clarity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "a request was made". While appropriate in some contexts, actively stating who made the request often results in a more direct and engaging sentence. For example, instead of saying "a request was made for additional funding", consider saying "the project manager requested additional funding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a request was made" functions as a declarative statement in the passive voice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that someone has formally asked for something. The passive construction allows the speaker to de-emphasize the actor performing the request.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a request was made" is a versatile phrase used to report that a formal request has occurred. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts. It commonly appears in News & Media and Science, showing that it is suitable for many types of sources. To improve your writing, consider specifying who made the request for clarity and avoid overuse of the passive voice. Related phrases like "a solicitation occurred" or "a submission was filed" can provide alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solicitation occurred

Replaces "request" with "solicitation" and uses "occurred" for a more formal tone.

a submission was filed

Substitutes "request" with "submission", emphasizing the act of formally presenting something.

an appeal was lodged

Uses "appeal" instead of "request", highlighting a formal plea, and "lodged" to indicate its official status.

an application was tendered

Replaces "request" with "application" and uses "tendered" to emphasize a formal offer or proposal.

a claim was submitted

Emphasizes the act of formally presenting a claim, rather than a general request.

a proposition was presented

Highlights a formal suggestion or proposal being put forward.

an inquiry was initiated

Focuses on the start of a formal investigation or questioning process.

an order was placed

Implies a specific demand, especially in a commercial context.

an advance was asked

Focuses on requesting something in advance.

an invitation was extended

Replaces request with invitation and extended, highlighting the gesture of inviting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a request was made" to be more active?

To make the sentence more active, specify who made the request. For example, instead of "a request was made", you could say "someone requested", "they asked for", or "the committee proposed" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "a request was made"?

The choice depends on the context. Passive voice is suitable when the actor is unknown or unimportant. Active voice is better when you want to emphasize who made the request. For instance, "the organization requested" is more direct than "a request was made by the organization".

What are some synonyms for "a request was made"?

Synonyms include "a demand was made", "an appeal was lodged", "an application was submitted", or "a proposal was presented". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "a request was made" in a formal context?

In formal writing, "a request was made" is acceptable but ensure clarity and precision. Provide sufficient context so the reader understands the nature and origin of the request. Example: "During the meeting, "a formal request was made" to the board of directors for additional funding".