request help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to politely ask for someone's assistance. For example, "I'm having trouble with this project, can I please request help from you?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Request help here.

Yale University

Most disabled people request help only when it is necessary.

The New York Times

One of the conditions was that countries must request help from the euro zone bailout fund.

The New York Times

"Before going to North Korea I had zero intention to request help from my government.

The Guardian

The suspect has not contacted the foreign ministry or Czech embassy to request help, he said.

The Guardian

Schools can request help, and teachers who take part in the scheme will be fast tracked.

The Guardian

It can't be long before Mariano Rajoy is forced to formally request help.

The Guardian - Business

They'll request help with homework or control devices around their home.

MIT Technology Review

Governments would then check that registry when companies request help with particular ventures.

The New York Times

Governments will need to request help, however, and accept conditions under the plans outlined by the central bank.

The New York Times

That fueled speculation that Madrid was laying the groundwork to formally request help sooner rather than later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using synonyms like "seek assistance" or "solicit aid" instead of "request help" to add sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "request help" in highly formal contexts like legal documents or academic papers where more sophisticated alternatives such as "seek assistance" or "require support" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "request help" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of asking for assistance. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show it used in various contexts, such as seeking technical support or government aid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "request help" is a grammatically sound and widely applicable way to ask for assistance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. The phrase enjoys broad usage across multiple domains, including news media, academic research, and formal business communications. While it maintains a generally neutral register, synonyms like "seek assistance" may provide a more formal tone. Frequent usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask for assistance

A more direct and common alternative.

get help

Simple and straightforward way of saying someone needs assistance.

seek assistance

Formal alternative, implying a more general search for aid.

call for aid

Implies urgency or a widespread need.

require assistance

More formal and indicates a necessity for aid.

solicit aid

Formal and somewhat stronger emphasis on seeking help.

reach out for assistance

Suggests initiating contact to obtain support.

turn to someone for help

Highlights the act of seeking help from a specific person.

appeal for support

Emphasizes the need for encouragement or resources.

enlist support

Suggests actively recruiting or engaging others to help.

FAQs

How can I use "request help" in a sentence?

You can use "request help" in sentences like, "If you are struggling with the assignment, don't hesitate to request help from your professor" or "Governments will need to request help, however, and accept conditions under the plans outlined by the central bank".

What can I say instead of "request help"?

You can use alternatives like "seek assistance", "ask for assistance", or "solicit aid" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "request help" or "ask for help"?

Both "request help" and "ask for help" are correct and commonly used. "Ask for help" is slightly more informal, while "request help" can be used in both formal and informal settings.

When is it appropriate to use "request help"?

It is appropriate to use "request help" when you need assistance with something and are formally or informally asking someone to provide that assistance. It's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from academic to professional to personal situations.