i request you

USAGE SUMMARY

"I request you" is a correct, usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to politely ask someone to do something. For example, "I request you to please attend the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Please don't believe these people, I request you.

The New York Times

"I request you to behave responsibly," she said.

The New York Times

May I request you send The Economist to my home in a plain brown wrapper, for now anyway?

The Economist

"I request you keep faith in the Indian judiciary and maintain peace, mutual respect and brotherhood at any cost.

The Guardian

By way of a fightback against this barbaric tide, may I request you find/invent some less violent verbs.

The Guardian - Sport

"For the safety of the women and children in the protest, I request you to leave by tomorrow," he said at a news conference.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"You obviously didn't read the second clean copy I requested you download," she says, "so this is a very unfair review.

The Guardian - Books

But still, when I thought of those birdlike markings of Carolyn's letter, I don't know, something just popped, I felt I was at a distinct tilt, and I blurted out, No, no, just please bring me the freaking Paperwork, I am Requesting, and I thought when I Requested you had to do it!

The New Yorker

When it was her turn to speak, Malala said simply, "I will request you all, and respected Ambassador, I will request you that if you can help us in our education, so please help us".

The New York Times

"Therefore, I respectfully request you never attack me physically again.

The New York Times

"Oprah I will request you to wear light yellow saree with matching blouse once.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I request you" in formal contexts where politeness is important, such as in business correspondence or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I request you" in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for more natural phrasing like "Could you please" or "Can you" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I request you" functions as a performative utterance, explicitly expressing a request directed towards the recipient. It sets the tone for a polite demand, asking someone to perform a specific action. According to Ludwig, this is correct, usable in written English for politely asking someone to do something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

16%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I request you" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for making polite requests, particularly in formal and professional settings. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. While it's important to use it judiciously in informal contexts, its presence across various reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic institutions, emphasizes its value in clear and respectful communication. Alternatives such as "I kindly ask you" or "Could you please" may be more appropriate for casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I kindly ask you

Adds emphasis on politeness.

I respectfully ask you

Conveys deference and respect.

I would like to ask you

More tentative and indirect.

May I ask you to

Highly polite and formal.

I ask that you

More formal and direct.

I urge you to

Conveys a sense of urgency or importance.

Could you please

Indirect and very common polite request.

I appeal to you to

More emotional and persuasive.

I invite you to

Suggests an invitation, less forceful than a direct request.

I propose that you

Suggests a course of action for consideration.

FAQs

How to use "I request you" in a sentence?

Use "I request you" followed by a clear and specific action. For example, "I request you to submit the report by Friday" or "I request you to consider my application".

What can I say instead of "I request you"?

You can use alternatives like "I kindly ask you", "I respectfully ask you", or "could you please" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I request you" or "I am requesting you"?

"I request you" is generally more direct and formal. "I am requesting you" is also correct but can sound slightly less assertive.

What's the difference between "I request you" and "I ask that you"?

"I request you" is a direct request to the person being addressed. "I ask that you" is often followed by a clause and can feel slightly more formal or detached.