request for assistance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request for assistance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are formally asking for help or support in a specific situation. Example: "I am writing to submit a request for assistance regarding the technical issues we are experiencing with the software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Twice, Officer Reddin radioed a request for assistance.

The New York Times

In confronting the request for assistance from Iraq's occupation powers, Mr. Annan faced a quandary.

The New York Times

Australian Federal Police said they had "responded to a request for assistance" from Tiger Airways.

The Guardian

Co-operating is a different matter than a request for assistance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sudanese officials have said that they have met every American request for assistance.

The New York Times

A "code black" is a request for assistance, usually to break up a fight.

The Guardian

He asserted that Qatar was just responding to a request for assistance from a friendly, non-Arab state.

The Guardian

Monaco's government said the raids resulted from an urgent request for assistance from the Serious Fraud Office.

The Guardian

Or, as he has put it in the subject field, A REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE IN A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION.

The Guardian - Sport

"Such an approach is vital to ensure that providers are able to respond quickly to request for assistance," Verizon said.

The New York Times

The university said it remained "ready to react quickly to any request for assistance from the Italian authorities".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When making a "request for assistance", be specific about the type of help needed and the reasons why it is necessary. Providing context helps ensure an appropriate and timely response.

Common error

Avoid making general statements like "I need assistance." Instead, clearly articulate the specific problem or task for which you require help. For example, say "I need assistance with troubleshooting this software bug" rather than a broad, unspecific statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "request for assistance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It names the action of formally asking for help. As Ludwig highlights, it is usable and correct. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "request for assistance" is a common and grammatically sound way to formally ask for help. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. Predominantly used in news, science, and formal business contexts, the phrase serves to initiate a formal appeal for support. To use the phrase effectively, it's important to be specific about the needed help. Alternatives include "appeal for aid" or "call for help", depending on the context. In summary, "request for assistance" is a versatile phrase suitable for diverse professional and formal communications, requiring clarity and context for maximum effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking assistance

Highlights the ongoing action of looking for help.

call for help

Conveys a sense of urgency and immediate need for intervention.

formal request for aid

Specifies that the "request for aid" is delivered in a formal structure, or in an official way.

appeal for aid

Focuses on the act of making a plea for help, often in urgent situations.

plea for support

Implies a more emotional and urgent request.

urgent plea for help

Highlights the high degree of urgency and the use of an emotional way to ask for help.

solicitation of aid

Highlights the formal process of seeking support or resources.

application for support

Emphasizes the formal submission of a request, often in bureaucratic contexts.

need for support

Emphasizes the underlying requirement for help rather than the act of asking.

requisition for aid

Suggests a formal and official request, often within organizations.

FAQs

How do I properly use "request for assistance" in a sentence?

The phrase "request for assistance" typically functions as a noun phrase. For instance, you can say, "We submitted a formal request for assistance" or "The organization issued a request for assistance after the disaster".

What are some alternatives to "request for assistance"?

You can use alternatives such as "appeal for aid", "call for help", or "application for support" depending on the formality and context.

When is it appropriate to use "request for assistance"?

It's suitable for formal or professional settings when you need to ask for help in a structured manner. This phrase is ideal for official communications, reports, or when documenting a formal appeal for support.

What's the difference between "seeking assistance" and "request for assistance"?

"Seeking assistance" ("seeking assistance") refers to the act of actively looking for help, while "request for assistance" is the formal noun phrase indicating a specific instance of asking for help. You might be "seeking assistance" by submitting a "request for assistance".