he had requested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he had requested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something someone asked for in the past. For example: "I received a request from Mr. Smith, and he had requested an extra day to complete the assignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"He had requested this more than once".

The New York Times

He had requested it especially.

The Guardian

He had requested 203, she said.

The New York Times

He had requested a sentence of probation with community service.

The New York Times

As he had requested, Mr. Grossman was cremated.

The New York Times

He had requested a trade in the off-season.

The New York Times

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that he had requested asylum in Latin America.

The New York Times

He still hadn't touched the dates or even the coffee he had requested.

The New Yorker

He said he had requested that she be examined by a psychiatrist.

The Guardian - Arts

He had requested anonymity because the fashion companies require venders to sign confidentiality agreements.

The New Yorker

(AP) ERIC SWANN RELEASED: The Arizona Cardinals released Eric Swann yesterday, as he had requested.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he had requested" to indicate a formal or polite request made in the past. For informal situations, consider alternatives like "he had asked for".

Common error

Avoid constructions where the recipient of the request is unclear. For instance, instead of "It was requested by him", specify "He had requested something from someone".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he had requested" functions as a past perfect construction indicating an action (requesting) completed before another point in the past. This is used to establish a sequence of events, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he had requested" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a past request relevant to a subsequent event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across varied contexts, especially in News & Media. While often neutral in tone, the choice of alternatives like "he had asked for" or "he had demanded" can subtly shift the meaning and formality. Ensure the context clarifies the object and recipient of the request for optimal clarity, avoiding overuse of the passive voice. Using "he had requested" appropriately adds precision and context to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had asked for

Replaces "requested" with the more common and informal "asked for".

he had asked that

A more formal equivalent, replacing "requested" with "asked".

he had put in a request for

More verbose, specifying that a formal request was submitted.

he had sought

A more formal and literary alternative to "requested".

he had required

Indicates a need or requirement, suggesting a stronger demand than a simple request.

he had appealed for

Indicates a plea or urgent request, often for assistance or support.

he had desired

Emphasizes a wish or want, which may be less formal than a request.

he had demanded

Implies a forceful request or insistence.

he had applied for

Specifically suggests a formal application was made.

he had wanted

Simple and direct substitution for "requested", indicating a past desire.

FAQs

What is the difference between "he had requested" and "he requested"?

"He requested" refers to a request made at a specific point in the past. "He had requested" indicates a request made before another point in the past, emphasizing the sequence of events.

What can I say instead of "he had requested"?

You can use alternatives like "he had asked for", "he had required", or "he had desired" depending on the context.

Is "he had requested that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he had requested that" is grammatically correct. It is often followed by a clause expressing the specific request.

How to use "he had requested" in a sentence?

Use "he had requested" to indicate a past request that is relevant to a subsequent event or situation. For example: "He had requested additional security, but it was denied before the incident occurred."