only if requested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only if requested" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something will be provided or done solely upon a specific request. Example: "The report will be sent only if requested." Alternative expressions include "upon request" and "if asked."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He would give advice only if requested.

Independent

Many training programs for students and parents are still offered only if requested by a school.

The New York Times

But the information is usually kept in-house by employers and given to OSHA only if requested during an annual spot check of 80,000 companies — a small fraction of the approximately seven million employers bound by OSHA regulations.

The New York Times

Mr. Taylor was already under indictment for his role in Sierra Leone's civil war, but the Nigerian government said it would turn Mr. Taylor over for prosecution only if requested by an elected Liberian government.

The New York Times

Any such plan would be implemented only if requested by the Libyan transitional authorities and approved by the Security Council, it said.

BBC

Dennis Johnson, a Spectrum spokesman, said the company will issue a refund to a customer's credit card, but only if requested to do so.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The young woman currently uses condoms (this information is only given if requested) but would like to learn about other methods.

Global Health Action

Patients in the eMPC group had BG measured hourly (for safety) but values were only entered if requested by the algorithm.

Critical Care

Note that in this case, the only difference is that the maximum throughput in the secondary network is R s, since the selected relay only cooperates if requested by D s, so that it is possible to deliver a message in a single time slot if the secondary direct link is not in outage.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In the end, a laboratory test is only useful if requested in the appropriate clinical context.

Autoimmunity Highlights

We focus on on-demand relaying techniques, where relaying is only performed if requested by the destination[24].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place this phrase at the end of a sentence for emphasis or immediately following the action it conditions to ensure logical clarity.

Common error

Avoid redundant phrasing such as "only if requested by a request". Additionally, ensure the phrase follows the verb it modifies to prevent ambiguity regarding what specifically is being conditioned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only if requested" functions as a conditional adverbial clause that limits the occurrence of a main action. According to Ludwig, it serves as a linguistic 'gatekeeper', ensuring that the predicate is only realized when a specific external stimulus (the request) is present.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only if requested" is a precise and widely accepted tool for establishing conditionality. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in environments where protocols must be strictly followed, such as in scientific testing, legal procedures and professional diplomacy. By using this phrase, writers can clearly communicate that an action is dependent on external authorization, thereby preventing misunderstandings regarding initiative and responsibility. Whether in a news report by The New York Times or a medical study, it remains a hallmark of clear and professional English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon request

A more concise and standard formal alternative often used in business correspondence.

if asked

A more conversational version suitable for informal or neutral contexts.

on demand

Focuses on the availability of the service whenever the user initiates a request.

if solicited

Increases the level of formality, implying a more official or structured process.

strictly by request

Adds emphasis to the restrictive nature of the condition.

subject to request

Phrases the condition as a procedural dependency.

provided a request is made

A more verbose conditional clause that clarifies the necessity of the action.

only on solicitation

A formal legalistic variant often found in contracts or policy documents.

as requested

Changes the timing to reflect that a request has already been or will be fulfilled.

by application only

Specifies a formal written request process, often for admissions or grants.

FAQs

How do I use "only if requested" in a sentence?

You can use it to condition an action, for example: "Confidential data is shared with third parties "only if requested" by the client."

What is a more formal version of "only if requested"?

A common professional alternative is "upon request", which is frequently used on resumes and in formal contracts.

What is the difference between "only if requested" and "on demand"?

While both imply a request is needed, "on demand" suggests that the service is ready and waiting to be used immediately, whereas "only if requested" simply sets a condition for the action to occur.

Can I say "if requested only"?

While understandable, it is much less common and can sound awkward. It is better to use the standard order: ""only if requested"".