it was requested by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was requested by" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to the originator of a request. For example, you could say, "The new equipment was requested by the manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The E.P.A has been working on the report since 2010, when it was requested by Congress.

The New York Times

This article was commissioned after it was requested by backtothepoint in the You tell us thread.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nato announced the extraordinary session yesterday, saying it was requested by Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

The Guardian

Mr. DiNapoli's aides said the check was paid out automatically by computer when it was requested by the Assembly's computer.

The New York Times

In fact, it was requested by unions who object to paying more through their own health policies.

The New York Times

How the government's action in this instance constitutes a "taking" is rather unclear, especially since it was requested by the A.I.G. board in 2008.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

(c) Any response to a motion for reconsideration will only be allowed if it is requested by the ALJ.

Cornell University

It might be interpreted to allow the arming of rebel groups and – to the extent it is requested by those groups – feet on the ground in the form of support that falls short of being "an occupation force".

The Guardian

"With or without a law on the International Criminal Court, there is no clause in the Constitution allowing for the extradition of one of our citizens, regardless of whether it is requested by a state or an international organization," he said.

The New York Times

It does not output obsolete associations unless it is requested by the user.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The codeword is stored at the transmitter in order to be retransmitted later if it is requested by the receiver due to a transmission error.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider more precise synonyms like "stipulated" or "requisitioned" if they better reflect the nature of the request.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make writing sound weak. Whenever possible, rephrase the sentence in the active voice to add impact. For example, instead of "The report was requested by Congress", write "Congress requested the report."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was requested by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (the request) was performed by a specified agent. It shifts the focus from the agent to the recipient or object of the request, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was requested by" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate the source of a request. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is widely employed across various domains, including news, science, and formal writing. While versatile, it's essential to consider whether an active voice construction might provide greater clarity and impact. Related phrases like "it was asked for by" or "the request came from" can offer alternative ways to express the same idea. This construction often occurs across authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and the BBC. Remember to ensure clarity regarding the originator and context of the request for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was asked for by

Replaces "requested" with the more common synonym "asked for".

it was called for by

Substitutes "requested" with "called for", implying a need or demand.

the request came from

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the source of the request.

it was prompted by

Changes the structure to highlight the cause of the request.

it was initiated by

Focuses on the act of starting or beginning the request.

it was stipulated by

Indicates that the request was a condition or requirement.

it was petitioned by

Suggests a formal appeal or written request.

it was requisitioned by

Implies a formal demand, often used in military or official contexts.

it was sought by

Replaces "requested" with "sought", indicating an effort to obtain something.

at the behest of

Indicates that the action was done at someone's command or urging.

FAQs

How can I use "it was requested by" in a sentence?

You can use "it was requested by" to indicate who originated a request, such as, "The investigation "was requested by" the governor".

What are some alternatives to "it was requested by"?

Alternatives include "it was asked for by", "the request came from", or "it was called for by", depending on the specific context.

Is "it was requested by" formal or informal?

"It was requested by" is generally considered neutral to formal. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the context than on the phrase itself.

Can I use "it was requested by" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "it was requested by" can sound awkward. It's usually better to rephrase the sentence for better flow. For example, instead of saying, "It was requested by the committee that…", you could say, "The committee requested that…".