at someone's request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at someone's request" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when someone has asked you to do something or for you to provide something. For example, "I created the presentation at my boss's request."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"All my life I've written music at someone's request for specific circumstances, whether it's a film score for Ken Russell, a symphony for the Philharmonia or a quartet for Wigmore Hall," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Without thinking, Vedernikov asked him how he could bear to alter his finished work at someone else's request.

The Guardian - Music

Throw it at someone's head.

WikiHow

Never fire at someone's face.

WikiHow

Never shoot at someone's eyes.

WikiHow

Prosecutors maintain that Mr. Minor, 38, whose criminal record includes drug and robbery arrests, committed second-degree murder because state law, they say, prohibits killing someone, even at the person's request.

The New York Times

Charles Poletti, who broadcast that appeal at the government's request, was someone the Italians could view with pride.

The New York Times

Highsmith found someone who knew one of the stickup men and who, at Highsmith's request, negotiated with them.

The New York Times - Magazine

At Michael's request, please no flowers.

The New York Times

An investigation ensued at Blazer's request.

The New York Times - Sports

At Mr. Steel's request Mr.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Position the phrase at the beginning of a sentence to establish the context immediately for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using the preposition 'on' (as in 'on someone's request'). While you can act 'on someone's behalf' or 'upon request', the standard idiomatic construction for a personal possessive is always 'at'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at someone's request" functions as a prepositional phrase that acts as an adverbial modifier. According to Ludwig, it modifies a verb to indicate the reason or external prompt for an action. It identifies the initiator of a task without making them the grammatical subject of the sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "at someone's request" is a robust and essential phrase for attributing agency in English. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in high-authority journalism and professional documentation. It is grammatically correct and versatile, allowing writers to substitute generic pronouns with specific names or titles easily. For those seeking a slightly more formal tone, alternatives like "upon someone's request" or "at the behest of" are excellent choices, but the main phrase remains the most idiomatic and widely understood option for everyday professional use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the request of

Moves the subject to the end of the phrase for a more formal or administrative tone

upon someone's request

Uses a more formal preposition to emphasize the conditionality of the action

per someone's request

Commonly used in business correspondence to indicate adherence to a prompt

at someone's behest

A more literary and formal alternative that suggests a strong command or authoritative request

as requested by someone

A passive construction that places the emphasis on the request itself

by request

A shortened version often used when the specific person making the request is already known or less important

following someone's request

Emphasizes the chronological sequence of the request and the subsequent action

at the instance of

A legalistic and highly formal variation mostly found in judicial or official texts

at someone's suggestion

Softens the prompt from a 'request' to a less mandatory 'suggestion'

on someone's behalf

Indicates that an action is being done for someone else, which may or may not include a direct request

FAQs

How do I use "at someone's request" in a sentence?

You can use it to explain the motivation behind an action, such as in the sentence: "The document was updated "at the manager's request"."

What is the difference between "at someone's request" and "upon someone's request"?

Both are correct, but "upon someone's request" is slightly more formal and is often used to describe a condition that triggers a specific event.

Can I say "per someone's request" instead?

Yes, "per someone's request" is very common in office and business settings, though it can occasionally sound overly bureaucratic compared to the neutral "at someone's request".

Is "at someone's request" formal enough for a legal document?

Yes, it is suitable for formal writing, though legal professionals often prefer the more specific "at the request of" followed by the full name of the party.