a smaller request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smaller request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a request that is less significant or demanding compared to another request. Example: "After discussing the larger project, I decided to make a smaller request for additional resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In fact, some members of the delegation have already begun to pick apart the Pataki plan, trying to shape a smaller request that would finance projects directly related to the terrorist attacks and that would be easier to sell on Capitol Hill.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It started with a small request.

Independent

Walker approached Garber with a small request.

The New York Times - Magazine

A small request, then: more chiles all around.

The New York Times - Food

It's a small request: there'll be time enough after it's over.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Pingtest.net, the user's PC sends a small request to distant servers and then computes the average time to receive a response.

The New York Times - Tech

"Excuse me, Begum Sahib, may I trouble you with a small request?" "Of course," she said, touching him lightly on the shoulder.

The New Yorker

So I have a small request for my food activist and environmentalist friends: let's take yesterday's Washington vote as a signal to move on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Should an employee come to me with a small request – say new literature for their reception – it demonstrates pride in their job.

The Guardian

The city's Department of Transportation has made what seems like a small request concerning this forsaken three-mile-long waterway separating Queens from Brooklyn.

The New York Times

The staff is extremely good-natured though the service is somewhere between desultory and confused: whenever I have a small request, an unnecessarily large team is marshaled, with me serving as something like a project manager on "The Apprentice".

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When negotiating, start with a larger request, then propose "a smaller request" as a compromise to increase the likelihood of acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "a smaller request" when you actually mean a less important or trivial request. "Smaller" refers to scope or size, not inherent value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smaller request" primarily functions as a noun phrase that includes an adjective ("smaller") modifying the noun ("request"). It is used to describe a request that is less extensive or demanding than another, often implied, request. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a smaller request" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, denoting a request that is less extensive or demanding. Ludwig AI analysis and authoritative sources confirm its correct usage across various contexts, particularly in news, general writing, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure that "smaller" accurately reflects the scope rather than the importance of the request. Alternatives such as "a more modest request" or "a less ambitious request" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Leverage this phrase in negotiations or proposals to increase the likelihood of acceptance by presenting a more manageable appeal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more modest request

Emphasizes the humility or lack of excess in the request.

a less ambitious request

Focuses on the reduced scope or scale of the request.

a reduced appeal

Highlights the lowered intensity or extent of the plea.

a scaled-down request

Indicates that the request has been made smaller or more manageable.

a minor requisition

Suggests the request is of little importance or urgency.

a trimmed request

Implies the request has been shortened or simplified.

a curtailed request

Suggests the request has been limited or restricted.

a downsized request

Implies the request has been made smaller, often in a business context.

a lighter ask

Informal way of saying that the request is not burdensome.

a minimal demand

Highlights that the request is the smallest or least possible.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a smaller request" to emphasize urgency?

To convey urgency, you might consider using phrases like "a more immediate need" or "an urgent yet manageable task". However, "a smaller request" /s/a+smaller+request does not inherently imply urgency.

What is the difference between "a smaller request" and "a simpler request"?

"A smaller request" refers to the reduced scope or scale of what is being asked. "A simpler request" refers to a request that is less complex or easier to fulfill. While they can overlap, they emphasize different aspects of the request.

Can I use "a smaller request" in a formal business setting?

Yes, "a smaller request" is appropriate in formal business settings. It is a clear and professional way to describe a request that has been reduced in scope or intensity. Consider alternatives like "a more modest request" for added politeness.

What are some alternatives to "a smaller request" in academic writing?

In academic writing, consider more precise alternatives such as "a more focused inquiry" or "a more limited investigation" to reflect the specific nature of the reduced scope.