a single request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to one specific demand or appeal made to someone. Example: "I have a single request: please submit your report by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He did not grant a single request for clemency.

The New York Times

"Yet until now, there has not been heard even a single request for pardon".

The Guardian

"But … many people legitimately need to make more than a single request.

Independent

Negroponte had barely expressed his condolences when Firas, Ahmed, and their colleagues pressed him with a single request.

The New Yorker

Fetching Multiple Resources With One Request Are you having trouble retrieving multiple sets of data in a single request?

The New York Times

I remember him nodding at me – he never denied me a single request off work and, quite rightly, was thoroughly decent about the whole thing".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The data are requested from the off-chip memory issuing a single read request with BL = 2.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

While provisioning a single user request among multiple providers, the market broker attempts to schedule the request with as less active datacenters as possible, a new datacenter is spawned only if remaining user requests exceeds a certain threshold value.

Journal of Cloud Computing

But the schools say there has not been a single such request.

The New York Times

Nobody knows if a single FISA request may involve one e-mail account or thousands.

The New York Times

When I first reported the story of Jill Harth's sexual assault accusation back in July, I didn't get a single interview request to talk about it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a single request", ensure the context clearly indicates that only one request is being made to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The company granted a single request for additional funding after careful consideration."

Common error

Avoid using excessively formal language when "a single request" is sufficient. Don't replace it with wordy alternatives like "a solitary instance of requisitioning" unless the specific context demands such formality. It's important to keep language as simple as possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single request" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a verb, denoting a solitary appeal or demand. Ludwig shows frequent examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a single request" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the solitary nature of an appeal or demand. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific literature, and business contexts, exhibiting a neutral register suitable for broad application. Alternative phrases like "one request" or "a unique request" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. The phrase's clarity and broad applicability make it a useful component in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one request

Omits "single", providing a shorter alternative with the same core meaning.

a solitary request

Replaces "single" with "solitary", emphasizing the isolated nature of the request.

a lone request

Uses "lone" instead of "single", suggesting the request stands apart from others.

just one request

Adds emphasis on the singularity of the request.

a unique request

Substitutes "single" with "unique", highlighting the distinctiveness of the request.

a specific request

Replaces "single" with "specific", focusing on the defined nature of the request.

a particular request

Highlights the specificity of the request.

a focused request

Emphasizes the concentrated nature of the request.

an individual request

Emphasizes the distinct nature of the request.

a one-time request

Focuses on the non-recurring nature of the request.

FAQs

How can I use "a single request" in a sentence?

You can use "a single request" to indicate that only one appeal or demand is being made. For example, "The manager approved "a single request" for vacation time".

What can I say instead of "a single request"?

Alternatives include "one request", "a unique request", or "just one request", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a single request"?

While "single" can sometimes be implied, using "a single request" emphasizes that only one request was made, distinguishing it from the possibility of multiple requests.

What's the difference between "a single request" and "a simple request"?

"A single request" focuses on the quantity (one), whereas "a simple request" focuses on the complexity or ease of fulfilling the request. The two phrases have clearly different meanings.