on his request

USAGE SUMMARY

"on his request" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used when describing why someone did something, or when explaining why someone has a certain privilege. For example: "The teacher allowed the student to leave early on his request."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Obama's remarks, his most extensive comments on the fugitive, Edward J. Snowden, came as new confusion swirled over Mr. Snowden's ultimate destination, with Ecuador's government saying it could not decide on his request for asylum unless he was in that country or one of its embassies elsewhere.

The New York Times

But experts on New York City's decentralization law said the ultimate test of the Chancellor's power, if there is one, would not come until one of the city's 32 local boards decided to defy him on his request for a list of its final candidates or selected a person he considered unqualified.

The New York Times

He is still waiting for the documents, but he recently got one of many "lovely letters" that explain how the Department of Education is still working on his request.

The New York Times

The judge said Interpol was working on his request.

The Guardian - Sport

In Drive, the central relationship stays chaste on his request.

The Guardian - Film

The court is set to rule on his request on Sunday.

The New York Times

Russia had failed to act on his request to give up his citizenship.

Independent

On his request, the RBI appointed a panel of experts to point a way there.

The Economist

The full US Congress is likely to vote on his request next week.

Independent

Following up on his request, Mr. Ousley's friend discussed her mission with another friend.

The New York Times

Perry has asked for a ruling on his request by 27 November.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context makes it clear who is making the request and what the request entails. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient detail.

Common error

Avoid using "on his request" when the action was not a direct result of someone's specific asking. If the action was generally aligned with someone's preferences but not explicitly asked for, rephrase to avoid implying a direct instruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on his request" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the reason or condition for an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound construction widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on his request" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that explains why an action was taken. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase serves to provide justification and clarify that actions are directly prompted by a specific person's asking. While appropriate for various contexts, alternatives like "at his behest" or "as he requested" may offer a more precise nuance. When using "on his request", clarity is key: ensure the context clearly indicates who made the request and what it entailed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as he requested

Directly states that an action was performed according to the person's wishes.

in accordance with his wishes

Highlights that the actions align with the person's desires.

on his asking

A simplified way of saying something was done because he asked.

at his behest

Emphasizes the authoritative or commanding nature of the request.

at his urging

Indicates that someone was persuaded or encouraged to make the request.

per his asking

A more formal way of saying something was done as requested.

as stipulated by him

Used when specific conditions or requirements were part of the request.

following his appeal

Implies a formal request or plea was made.

based on his application

Relevant when the request takes the form of a formal application.

pursuant to his solicitation

A highly formal phrase indicating an action was taken after a formal request.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on his request"?

Alternatives include "at his behest", "as he requested", or "in accordance with his wishes", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "upon his request" instead of "on his request"?

While "upon his request" isn't incorrect, "on his request" is more commonly used and sounds more natural in contemporary English. Both phrases mean essentially the same thing.

What's the difference between "on his request" and "at his command"?

"On his request" implies a simple asking, while "at his command" suggests a more authoritative or formal instruction. The choice depends on the relationship between the person making the request and the person acting on it.

Can "on his request" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "on his request" is appropriate for formal writing. However, for very formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "pursuant to his solicitation" or "at his behest".