request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking for something formally or politely. Example: "I would like to submit a request for additional resources for our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

FIFA did not incur any costs as a result of South Africa's request because the funds belonged to the LOC.

The Guardian - Sport

A spokesman for Mercedes did not respond to a request for comment.

The New York Times

The Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The New York Times

"I believe I may have sent through a form to request for a meeting, yes," she said when asked if di Girolamo tried to meet O'Farrell.

The Guardian

Carr, who served as NSW premier for 10 years, entered the Senate and became foreign minister at the request of former prime minister Julia Gillard in March 2012, when Kevin Rudd returned to the backbench after losing a leadership challenge.

The Guardian

Full details of the judging process and the names of the judges are available on request to [email protected].

The Guardian

Bluf Stands for "bottom line up front" – a request from NSA analysts to collect less data from the Muscular program (see below) because it is of no intelligence value.

The Guardian

At his review appointment some months later, his specialist notes that he has inflamed joints and writes back to me to request a rheumatology opinion.

The Guardian

It also clones your GitHub repo, and compares your merged pull request with the history of the commit that's currently on the site.

The Guardian

"We would have an obligation as a good friend and neighbour in our region to respond if we had a request from one of those nations," he said.

The Guardian

Andries Nkome, who is also representing the Association of Mineworkers and Construction union, said: "Our clients are taking credit that they were able to get the president to commit to release the report but he is still treating them with contempt, having ignored their request for a commitment by 2pm on Sunday and waiting to address parliament instead".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When making a formal "request", be specific and clearly state what you need or desire. Providing context or justification can increase the likelihood of a positive response.

Common error

Avoid using "request" when you mean "require". "Request" implies politeness and a degree of choice, while "require" indicates a necessity or obligation. For example, say "We request your presence" not "We require your presence" if attendance is optional.

Linguistic Context

The word "request" functions primarily as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to the act of asking for something. As a verb, it describes the action of asking for something. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as both a noun and verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "request" is a versatile term, commonly used as both a noun and a verb, primarily to express the act of asking for something politely or formally. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in News & Media, as well as Formal & Business contexts, highlight its reliability and widespread use. When using "request", it's important to ensure specificity and clarity to increase the chances of a favorable response. Avoid confusing it with "require", which denotes a stronger sense of obligation. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication across various professional and formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requisition

Suggests a formal demand, often in a military or bureaucratic context.

application

Implies a more formal written request, often for a job or service.

petition

Indicates a formal written request signed by many people.

appeal

Suggests a more urgent or emotional request, often seeking help or support.

entreaty

Highlights a deeply earnest or urgent request.

claim

Involves demanding something as due or rightfully belonging to oneself.

motion

A formal proposal or request made in a meeting or debate.

inquiry

Focuses on seeking information, a form of asking.

submission

Implies handing over something asked for.

bid

An offer, often in a competitive setting.

FAQs

How to use "request" in a sentence?

You can use "request" as a noun, like in "I sent a "request" for information", or as a verb, like in "I "request" you to consider my application."

What can I say instead of "request"?

You can use alternatives like "ask for", "appeal to", or "petition" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "make a request" or "do a request"?

"Make a "request"" is the correct and more common usage. "Do a request" is less formal and less widely accepted.

What's the difference between "request" and "demand"?

"Request" implies a polite asking, while "demand" suggests a firm expectation or insistence. A "request" can be denied without consequence, but a "demand" often carries an implicit threat if unmet.