by request only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by request only" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is available or can be obtained only if someone specifically asks for it. Example: "The special menu is available by request only, so please let us know if you would like to see it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"You should just put that by request only".

The New Yorker

Water, however, is by request only, as are refills.

The New York Times

It was by request only, and empty glasses were never refilled.

The New York Times

The traditional peanuts are served by request only, to accommodate those with food allergies.

The New York Times

Several small American farmers also dry-age their lamb for 7 to 14 days (Summerfield Farm by request only), and you can tell the difference not only in the tenderness but in the flavor.

The New York Times - Food

Just a thousand metres east of the main action at the Giardini and the Arsenale, the former monastic refuge, military HQ, and now public green space is so remote that even its vaporetto stop is by request only.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Our lender, a major player in New York real estate, feigned generosity by requesting only a 10percentt down payment, then hedged its bets by requiring liens on two of our other properties.

The New York Times

On the basis of those results, and systematic review findings 19, we sought to minimize assessment of the control group in the present trial by requesting only demographic information and asking the three questions of the AUDIT-C, which took, on average, 1.2 minutes to complete.

Addiction

Infectious Diseases Consultation service patients are assigned by consultative request only and are requested from all services in the respective hospitals (e.g. Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ob-Gyn).

Yale University

The fragments are part of the Classics Department Papyri Collection, which is currently on deposit (with access to the original fragments by special request only) in Special Collections.

Stanford University

Authors are open to placing raw and processed datasets as well as other files to aid in replication in a convenient location, but it is currently available by direct request only.

EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering eco-friendly options like straws or paperless billing, use "by request only" to encourage a sustainable choice while still accommodating those who prefer the alternative.

Common error

Avoid using "by request only" in overly casual situations where a simpler phrase like "just ask" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can sound unnecessarily formal or bureaucratic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by request only" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a condition of availability. As Ludwig AI suggests, it specifies that something is provided or occurs solely when requested. The examples provided in Ludwig illustrate this, such as "Water, however, is by request only, as are refills."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

23%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by request only" is used to indicate that something is available or done only if someone specifically asks for it. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news media, academia, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in informal contexts where a simpler phrase would suffice. Related phrases include "available upon request" and "on demand". Ludwig's examples show varied applications, from water refills to access to special menu items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

available upon request

Indicates something can be provided if asked for; more formal.

on demand

Implies immediate availability when requested; slightly less formal.

if requested

A conditional statement ensuring that something is delivered if the target audience asks for it.

subject to request

Suggests that availability is dependent on a formal request process.

only when requested

Emphasizes the exclusivity of availability based solely on a request.

per request

A brief way to communicate action occurs on a specific request.

by special arrangement

Indicates availability through specific agreement only.

accessible on demand

Highlights the ability to immediately obtain something when requested.

obtainable by asking

A more descriptive way of saying something is available only if you ask.

furnished upon solicitation

A highly formal and somewhat archaic way to indicate availability upon request.

FAQs

How can I use "by request only" in a sentence?

Use "by request only" to indicate that something is available only if someone specifically asks for it. For example, "The special menu is "available by request only", so please let us know if you would like to see it."

What phrases are similar to "by request only"?

Similar phrases include "available upon request", "on demand", or "if requested". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to say "by request only" or "upon request"?

Both "by request only" and "upon request" are correct. "Upon request" is slightly more formal, while "by request only" emphasizes that the item or service is not provided unless specifically asked for.

Can I use "by request only" for digital content?

Yes, you can use "by request only" for digital content to indicate that access is granted only if a user specifically requests it. For example, "The full report is "available by request only" due to privacy restrictions."