not request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not request" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a negation of a request, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I would like to clarify that I do not request any further information at this time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My mother did not request antibiotics.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now, if umpires do not request a replay, managers can.

The New York Times

I do not request such a privilege now.

The Guardian

But the Commission did not request such reports.

The New Yorker

Iran has said it did not request the cover-up.

The Guardian

I did not request, nor authorise, this sum.

The Guardian - Money

The department did not request internal audit reports.

The Guardian

The Mets did not request to wear them during the game.

The New York Times

Nixon announced he would not request a renewal of his authority to induct men.

The New Yorker

Iraq pointedly did not request US air support when it launched the offensive in early March.

Independent

"If BP does not request these resources, then I can and I will," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When negating a request, use the more grammatically sound phrase "did not request" or the simpler "did not ask for". This ensures clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Be careful not to create double negatives when using "not request". For example, avoid saying "They did not not request it," which is confusing. Instead, use a positive construction like "They requested it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not request" functions as a negative verb phrase, attempting to negate the action of requesting. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is not grammatically sound in standard written English. Using a form like "did not request" is grammatically better.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "not request" is frequently used to indicate the absence of a request, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "did not request" or "did not ask for" for clarity and grammatical correctness. Despite its flaws, its presence across various sources, including news, science, and business, suggests that its meaning is generally understood, though it should be avoided in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not ask for

A more direct and common way to express that something is not being solicited.

did not ask for

Past tense version of 'not ask for', indicating that a request was not made in the past.

did not solicit

Replaces "ask" with "solicit," suggesting a more formal or official context.

did not seek

Uses "seek" instead of "request", implying an active attempt to obtain something was absent.

not require

Indicates that something is not necessary or obligatory.

not demand

Suggests that something was not insisted upon or forcefully requested.

not appeal for

Replacing "request" with "appeal" indicates a formal or urgent request that wasn't made.

not petition for

Uses "petition" instead of "request", suggesting a formal, written request was not submitted.

not put in a request for

A more verbose way of saying "did not request" emphasizing the act of submitting a request.

not file a request for

Similar to "put in a request", but emphasizes the formal act of filing or submitting a request.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "not request" in a sentence?

While "not request" is often used, it's grammatically weak. Instead, use "did not request" or "did not ask for" for clearer communication.

What's a more formal alternative to "not request"?

For formal contexts, consider "did not solicit" or "did not seek" as alternatives to "not request".

Is it better to say "did not request" or "didn't request"?

"Didn't request" is a contraction of "did not request" and is perfectly acceptable in most informal contexts. "Did not request" is slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "not request" and "not require"?

"Not require" indicates that something is unnecessary or not obligatory, while "not request" (though grammatically suspect) suggests that something was not specifically asked for. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.