made a polite request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made a polite request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action where someone has asked for something in a courteous manner. Example: "She made a polite request for additional time to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In early 2005, Ellis posted the address of a PayPal account for the site and made a polite request for donations.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Make a polite request to turn it down?

The New York Times

Conversation in daily situations such as making a polite request or suggestion, reading simple texts, and Korean culture.

Stanford University

You might want to check what the precedent is but always make a polite request directly to the headteacher in person and be prepared to team up with colleagues to cover each other from time-to-time to oil the wheels.

The Guardian

But rather than a diatribe, he was simply making a polite request for books.

Vice

But rather than a diatribe, he was simply making a polite request for books.   .

Vice

Establish a positive tone with the reader by making a polite request or offering help in the form of a working relationship.

WikiHow

At that point, she made a polite but steely request to bystanders.

The New York Times - Food

Behind the scenes at the East Village restaurant owned by Gabrielle Hamilton, author of the new memoir "Blood, Bones & Butter". At that point, she made a polite but steely request to bystanders.

The New York Times - Food

Ben's still in Charlotte working on music, he told me, and then made a polite cutting motion with his hand and requested we move on.

Vice

You can imagine a "please" appended to Respect Beer, in the form of a polite request.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider context: a formal setting might benefit from "respectfully requested", while an informal one may prefer "kindly asked".

Common error

Avoid using "made a polite request" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "asked nicely" or "politely asked" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a polite request" functions as a verb phrase, where "made" is the main verb and "a polite request" serves as the object. It indicates the action of asking for something in a courteous manner. Ludwig confirms its common and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made a polite request" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for describing a courteous request. Ludwig confirms the phrase is usable in written English. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and avoid overusing it in overly informal situations where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase finds its niche across diverse platforms, including news articles, academic papers, and wikis. To enhance your writing skills, consider exploring related alternatives such as "kindly asked" or "respectfully requested".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Respectfully requested

This alternative emphasizes the respectful nature of the request.

Kindly asked

This alternative is more concise and focuses on the act of asking in a gentle manner.

Asked in a civil manner

This alternative emphasizes the civility of the request.

Courteously inquired

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the courteousness of the inquiry.

Made a courteous appeal

This alternative emphasizes the appeal aspect of the request.

Humbly asked for

This alternative highlights the humble nature of the request.

Requested with decorum

This alternative emphasizes that the request was made following social norms.

Submitted a gentle plea

This alternative highlights the mild and persuasive aspect of the request.

Graciously solicited

This alternative suggests a refined and graceful manner of asking.

Formally requested

This alternative emphasizes formality rather than politeness.

FAQs

How can I use "made a polite request" in a sentence?

You can use "made a polite request" to describe an action where someone has asked for something in a courteous manner. For example: "She made a polite request for additional time to complete the project."

What can I say instead of "made a polite request"?

You can use alternatives like "kindly asked", "respectfully requested", or "courteously inquired" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "made a polite request"?

While the word "request" implies politeness, using "made a polite request" can emphasize the courteous manner of the request, especially when contrasted with a demand or order. Whether it's redundant depends on the context.

What's the difference between "made a polite request" and "issued a demand"?

"Made a polite request" indicates a courteous ask, while "issued a demand" implies a firm, often non-negotiable order. The tone and expectation of compliance are significantly different.