on special demand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on special demand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is provided or made available specifically at someone's request or need. Example: "The restaurant offers a unique dish on special demand for customers who request it in advance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On weekends and public holidays, staffing levels were reduced (absence of grand rounds; one single physician's round on Saturday; one nurse less during daytime; physiotherapy limited to patients with special needs; no psycho-oncology, music, or art therapy available; spiritual care only on special demand).

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They agreed that HSBC's branches failed to focus enough on the special demands of local markets and clients.

The New York Times

Digital manufacturing makes a special demand to data structure and exchange on any stage of product life cycle.

Procedia CIRP

That is why, as university and college newspaper editors prepare for the returning flood of students in coming weeks, most will be focused more on putting out the best paper-and-ink reports they can muster than on meeting the special demands of adapting campus journalism to the Web.

The New York Times

Mr. Hu's bland image may not simply reflect a cautious personality but also the special demands on him as the front-runner, building on Mr. Deng's blessing, but working hard, avoiding mistakes and not upstaging President Jiang, he managed to solidify his position among the party elite.

The New York Times

They made no special demands on the management.

The New Yorker

The elongated shape of Norway and its many mountains, large areas of sparse population, and severe climate make special demands on transportation services.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The increased fatigue or stress inherent in working long hours and nonstandard shift schedules, for example, might place special demands on injured workers," the researchers wrote.

The New York Times - Health

Augusta National makes its own special demands on a player and it is these aspects of my game that I work hard on before I leave home,' says Woods, whose drive to succeed now apparently includes an obsession with a British commando inspired fitness regime.

The Guardian - Sport

It highlights the special demands on this special material group for modern machining technologies.

Advanced Machining Processes of Metallic Materials Theory, Modelling, and Applications

Usually, these immature technologies place special demands on production layout and quality management, for example.

Procedia CIRP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on special demand", clarify what makes the demand 'special'. Providing context helps the reader understand why the request is unique or requires particular attention.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "on special demand" can sound slightly informal. In highly formal or professional writing, consider alternatives like "upon specific request" or "as per individual needs" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on special demand" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the condition under which something is provided or made available. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on special demand" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is provided only when specifically requested due to unique circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness. While its register is generally neutral, leaning slightly towards informal, it's essential to consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives like "upon specific request" in professional settings. Although rare, this phrase finds application across diverse domains, as reported by Ludwig, including science, news, and general commerce.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon specific request

Emphasizes that the action or provision occurs only when a specific request is made.

at customer's request

Highlights that the demand originates from the customer.

as per individual needs

Focuses on tailoring something to meet the unique needs of each person.

tailored to order

Indicates a personalized creation or adaptation to a specific order.

custom-made

Stresses that something is specifically created to meet particular demands.

on individual order

Similar to tailored to order, it emphasizes the specific ordering process.

personalized to specifications

Highlights the personalization aspect, with a focus on precise specifications.

as required

A more general alternative, indicating something is provided when there is a need.

when specifically asked for

Underscores that the provision only occurs when there is an explicit request.

subject to availability

Indicates that something is provided only if it is available and requested.

FAQs

What does "on special demand" mean?

The phrase "on special demand" means that something is provided or done only when specifically requested or required due to particular circumstances.

What can I say instead of "on special demand"?

You can use alternatives like "upon specific request", "at customer's request", or "tailored to order" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "on special demand"?

The phrase "on special demand" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For very formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "subject to availability" or "as required".

Can "on special demand" be used in business writing?

Yes, "on special demand" can be used in business writing, but it's important to consider the tone of the document. In some cases, a more formal alternative like "as per individual needs" may be more appropriate.