had requested

USAGE SUMMARY

'had requested' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express something that happened in the past before something else happened. For example: "The teacher had requested that the students submit their assignments on time, but they were late anyway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Both had requested a pardon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was an arrangement Bettman had requested.

The New York Times - Sports

"He had requested this more than once".

The New York Times

Hatch had requested such an investigation.

The New York Times

He had requested it especially.

The Guardian

President Bush had requested the cut.

The New York Times

Calderón had requested it, Pérez inherited it.

The Guardian - Sport

She had requested chicken tikka masala.

The Guardian - Books

We had requested the red version.

The New York Times

He had requested 203, she said.

The New York Times

They had requested them a month ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had requested", ensure that the context provides enough information about who made the request and what was requested for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense instead of the past perfect ("had requested") when describing an action that occurred before another action in the past. For example, instead of writing 'He requested the report after he finished the analysis,' use 'He had requested the report after he finished the analysis' to show the correct sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had requested" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates an action (requesting) that was completed before another action or point in time in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had requested" is a grammatically correct and commonly used past perfect verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It signifies that a request was made before a specific point in the past, ensuring clarity in chronological order. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing, with a neutral to formal tone. While the past perfect tense might be confused with simple past, the proper usage ensures a clear depiction of event sequences. Remember to use "had requested" when precision in timing is crucial. Ludwig provides numerous examples that demonstrate this point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had asked for

Replaces "requested" with a more common synonym, making the phrase slightly less formal.

had put in a request for

Emphasizes the formal process of making a request.

had made a request for

Similar to 'put in a request', but slightly more direct.

had sought

A more formal and concise alternative to "had requested".

had desired

Indicates a strong wish or want, implying a request.

had applied for

Implies a formal application process for something.

had appealed for

Suggests a more urgent or persuasive request.

had expressed a wish for

Focuses on the expression of a desire, which implies a request.

had indicated a need for

Highlights the necessity behind the request.

had been seeking

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the request prior to a specific point in the past.

FAQs

How is "had requested" used in a sentence?

"Had requested" is used to indicate that someone made a request before a certain point in the past. For example, "She had requested the data before the meeting started" indicates the request happened before the meeting.

What's the difference between "had requested" and "requested"?

"Requested" is in the simple past tense and describes a single event in the past. "Had requested" is in the past perfect tense and describes an event that occurred before another event in the past. For example, "He requested assistance" versus "He had requested assistance before the project began".

What are some alternatives to "had requested"?

You can use alternatives like "had asked for", "had put in a request for", or "had sought" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "had requested"?

It would be incorrect to use "had requested" if you're only describing a single event in the past without reference to another event that followed it. In such cases, the simple past tense, "requested", is more appropriate.