he pleaded for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he pleaded for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is earnestly requesting or begging for something. Example: "In his final moments, he pleaded for mercy, hoping for a chance to redeem himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He pleaded for patience.

The New Yorker

He pleaded for quick action.

The New York Times

He pleaded for leniency and eventually was granted his wish.

Stanford University

He pleaded for "justice and equity".

The Guardian

In it, he pleaded for forgiveness.

The Guardian

He pleaded for more police officers, weapons and ammunition.

The New York Times

Then he pleaded for collaboration instead of litigation.

The Washington Post

"He pleaded for his freedom," Mr. Sachs said.

The New York Times

But he pleaded for political pragmatism and party loyalty.

The New York Times

"He pleaded for his life," the official said.

The New York Times

He pleaded for international organizations to come to his aid.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he pleaded for", ensure the context clearly indicates the object or outcome being requested. Clarity strengthens the impact of the plea.

Common error

Avoid using "he pleaded for" in highly formal or professional settings where a more neutral term like "requested" or "asked" would be more appropriate. "Plead" often carries a connotation of desperation or supplication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he pleaded for" typically functions as a narrative device, conveying a character's earnest and often desperate request. Ludwig shows this phrase is frequently used to describe someone asking for help, leniency, or understanding in dire situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he pleaded for" is a frequently used phrase, particularly in news and media, to describe someone making an earnest request. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and effective for conveying urgency and desperation. While alternatives like "he begged for" or "he appealed for" exist, "he pleaded for" carries a specific weight and emotional charge. It's most appropriate in contexts where highlighting the intensity of the request is desired, but should be used judiciously in more formal settings. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its accepted usage in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he begged for

Replaces 'pleaded' with 'begged', emphasizing desperation.

he appealed for

Uses 'appealed' instead of 'pleaded', suggesting a more formal request.

he implored for

Replaces 'pleaded' with 'implored', indicating a deeply emotional request.

he entreated for

Uses 'entreated' instead of 'pleaded', suggesting a humble and earnest request.

he beseeched for

Replaces 'pleaded' with 'beseeched', indicating a fervent and urgent request.

he solicited for

Uses 'solicited' instead of 'pleaded', implying a request for something specific, like help or support.

he requested urgently

Replaces 'pleaded for' with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the urgency of the request.

he made a plea for

Rephrases the expression to emphasize the act of making a plea.

he asked earnestly for

Emphasizes the sincerity of the request using 'earnestly'.

he urgently called for

Focuses on the urgent nature of the request using 'called'.

FAQs

How can I use "he pleaded for" in a sentence?

You can use "he pleaded for" to show someone earnestly requested something. For example, "He pleaded for mercy" or "He pleaded for assistance".

What can I say instead of "he pleaded for"?

You can use alternatives like "he begged for", "he appealed for", or "he implored for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he pleaded for" or "he pleaded with"?

"He pleaded for" is used when asking for something (e.g., "He pleaded for help"). "He pleaded with" is used when addressing someone directly to persuade them (e.g., "He pleaded with her to stay").

What's the difference between "he pleaded for" and "he requested"?

"He pleaded for" suggests a more emotional and urgent request compared to the more neutral "he requested". Pleading implies a sense of desperation or strong need, while requesting is a simple act of asking.