plea for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plea for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a call or a request for help, mercy, or assistance. For example: "The mayor made a passionate plea for assistance from the federal government to provide aid to those affected by the natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The plea for shock.

The New Yorker

Expecting a plea for directions, we stopped.

The New York Times

The stammered apology, the plea for mercy.

The New Yorker

A plea for a YouTube literature category.

The New Yorker

It was a plea for leniency.

The New Yorker

The work is a plea for conservation.

The New York Times

Iran's leaders plea for patience and hope.

The New York Times

I hear President Obama's plea for civility.

The New York Times

I make a plea for her.

The New York Times

Was he making a plea for eugenics?

The New Yorker

"This is not a plea for relativism.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plea for" when you want to emphasize the urgency or emotional weight of a request. It's more impactful than a simple "request for".

Common error

Avoid using "plea for" excessively in formal or business writing where a neutral tone is preferred. Opt for "request for" or "appeal for" to maintain professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plea for" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically preceding a noun or gerund. It expresses a request or appeal, often with an underlying sense of urgency or emotion. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plea for" is a versatile phrase used to express an earnest request or appeal, often with an emotional undertone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted, though best reserved for contexts where the emotional weight of the request is relevant. While its frequency is high across various sources, its usage is particularly prevalent in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" contexts. When a less emotive expression is needed, consider alternatives like "request for" or "appeal for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeal for

Replaces "plea" with "appeal", emphasizing a formal or earnest request.

request for

Substitutes "plea" with the more neutral term "request", suitable for less emotional contexts.

call for

Uses "call" instead of "plea", suggesting a public and often urgent demand.

entreaty for

Replaces "plea" with "entreaty", indicating a deeply felt and persuasive request.

supplication for

Substitutes "plea" with "supplication", implying a humble and earnest prayer or request.

petition for

Uses "petition" instead of "plea", suggesting a formal written request.

cry for

Replaces "plea" with "cry", conveying a sense of desperation or urgency.

bid for

Substitutes "plea" with "bid", implying an attempt to obtain something, often in a competitive context.

yearning for

Uses "yearning" instead of "plea", expressing a strong desire or longing.

desire for

Replaces "plea" with "desire", simply stating a wish or want for something.

FAQs

How to use "plea for" in a sentence?

Use "plea for" to express an urgent or emotional request, as in, "The organization issued a "plea for" donations to help the victims".

What can I say instead of "plea for"?

You can use alternatives like "appeal for", "request for", or "call for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "plea for" or "plead for"?

"Plea for" (noun phrase) refers to a request, while "plead for" (verb phrase) means to make a request. For example, "Her 'plea for' help was heard" versus "She 'pleaded for' help".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "plea for"?

The phrase "plea for" is most appropriate when emphasizing the urgency or emotional weight behind a request. It works well in situations where a simple "request" doesn't fully capture the gravity of the situation.