request for freedom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request for freedom" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone is formally asking for liberation or autonomy. Example: "The activists submitted a request for freedom to the governing body." Alternative expressions include "appeal for freedom" and "demand for freedom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While they hoped the US would not oppose the Yemeni's request for freedom, they also did not expect the US to keep its reasons for the challenge secret.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bouckman: Bouckman is of Jamaican origin and leads the secret gathering of trusted slaves, where he speaks of French requests for freedom for black slaves, but also of the resistance displayed by plantation landowners.

Wikipedia

While it is too early to expect a detailed federal response, comments today by Tommy G. Thompson, the secretary of health and human services, suggest that he supports the governors' request for more freedom in operating Medicaid.

The New York Times

"She came across as very credible today, and the prosecutor asked us to prepare a request for her freedom, which I don't think they would do if they weren't going to grant it".

The New York Times

Note that he does not demand total liberation, but a more modest request for religious freedom.

Huffington Post

Mr. Harris said Tuesday that there was a difference between a routine request for correspondence under the Freedom of Information Act and an arrangement in which e-mails were passed on in real time to another reporter.

The New York Times

When that did not work, I filed a request for documents under the Freedom of Information Act.

Huffington Post

FoI campaigners have been concerned that the commission could recommend introducing a charge for freedom of information requests or tightening the rules on how much a request can cost.

The Guardian

Make sure you also follow the latest reports sent to Cardiff council check out the Cardiff Fix My Street feed, also look at some of the feeds for Cardiff on What Do They Know for freedom of information requests.

The Guardian

MySociety also built Downing Street's e-petitions site, which boasts 8.9m electronic signatures – though little noticeable impact on government policy – as well as the PledgeBank good causes site and Whatdotheyknow, a web clearing house for Freedom Of Information requests.

The Guardian - Tech

When the A.C.L.U. filed a request for the memos under the Freedom of Information Act, the Justice Department responded by handing over copies with the text nearly entirely blanked out, prompting the lawsuit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal legal writing, prefer more precise terms like "petition" or "motion" unless describing the act of requesting in a general sense.

Common error

Avoid using "request for freedom" when you actually mean a "Freedom of Information request". While both contain the same words, the latter is a specific legal tool for obtaining government documents, and using the shorter version can lead to significant confusion in administrative contexts.

Linguistic Context

As a noun phrase, the query usually serves as the direct object or the subject of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to describe a formal act of seeking liberation or autonomy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academic

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "request for freedom" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used across diverse sectors. Ludwig data shows a strong presence in high-authority media outlets. It serves two primary roles: a humanitarian one, describing the plea for liberation from confinement, and an administrative one, often abbreviated from the full "Freedom of Information request". Writers should be careful to distinguish between these two to ensure clarity. The phrase carries a weight of formal necessity and is almost always found in contexts involving institutional power or legal frameworks. Ludwig AI confirms that it is an accepted and common way to describe the formal pursuit of liberty or rights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

petition for release

Implies a more formal, often judicial or bureaucratic process to leave confinement.

plea for liberty

Adds an emotional or desperate tone, often used in historical or political contexts.

demand for liberation

Signals a much stronger, more confrontational tone than a mere request.

appeal for autonomy

Focuses on the right to self-governance rather than just physical release.

motion for freedom

Uses specific legal jargon typically found in courtroom settings.

call for independence

Generally applied to groups or nations seeking sovereignty.

application for discharge

Specifically refers to leaving military service or a medical facility.

prayer for deliverance

Introduces a religious or spiritual dimension to the desire for freedom.

claim for emancipation

Typically used in historical contexts or regarding the legal rights of minors.

suit for liberty

A formal legal action, historically associated with legal challenges against enslavement.

FAQs

How do I use "request for freedom" in a sentence?

You can use it when someone is formally asking for liberation, such as: "The detainee's "request for freedom" was finally heard by the high court after years of delays."

What is the difference between a "request for freedom" and a "demand for freedom"?

A "request" implies a formal or polite solicitation that can be granted or denied, while a "demand for freedom" suggests an assertive, non-negotiable insistence on one's rights.

Is "request for freedom" formal enough for legal documents?

It is grammatically correct but often replaced by more specific technical terms like "petition for habeas corpus" or "motion for release" in strict legal filings.

Can "request for freedom" refer to the Freedom of Information Act?

While technically possible, it is much clearer to say "freedom of information request" when asking for data or documents to distinguish it from a request for personal liberty.