request to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request to do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to do a particular task. For example, "I am making a request to do the dishes this evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Dean's letter to consortium members would constitute a request to do so.

The New York Times

When the commission called Haqqani to testify, it denied his request to do so remotely.

The Washington Post

We had a request to do a dynamic wind test on an antenna for the Aleutian Islands.

The New York Times

The request to do something for free is so common now that it's best to be prepared.

The Guardian

We also asked the subordinates if they'd gotten a request to do something unethical in the past six months.

Harvard Business Review

The Home Office has refused to make Theresa May's internet browsing history public under freedom of information rules, arguing that a request to do so is "vexatious".

Independent

To end the evening, she agreed to a request to do her final soliloquy from "Hello, Dolly!" which led her to sing "Before the Parade Passes By".

The New York Times

Although the Justice Department traditionally brings actions to enforce Congressional contempt citations, Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey rejected Speaker Nancy Pelosi's request to do so.

The New York Times

So for over one whole year LeaseWeb kept 630 servers available, without any request to do so and without any compensation," wrote de Joode.

The Guardian - Tech

"Before the last election, I had made several on-the-record donations to support Dr Fox following a request to do so from a Conservative party fundraiser.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, he has been slow to release or transfer prisoners elsewhere, even after a request to do so by Hamid Karzai, who leads the interim Afghan government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "request to do" when you're communicating an official or formal solicitation. It's more fitting than more casual phrasing.

Common error

A common mistake is not specifying the subject of the request. For instance, instead of saying "There was a "request to do"", specify who made the request, such as "The manager made a "request to do" inventory."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "request to do" functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive, indicating a formal asking or solicitation for an action to be performed. As Ludwig AI confirmed, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

26%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "request to do" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for formally asking someone to perform an action. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's prevalent in news, academic, and business contexts, reflecting its use in formal communication. When employing "request to do", clarity is crucial to avoid ambiguity. The alternative phrases, such as "application to perform" or "demand to execute", offer nuanced variations depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

application to execute

Replaces the verb "do" with the more formal "execute," and "request" with "application".

application to perform

Replaces "request" with "application", emphasizing a more formal submission, and "do" with "perform", suggesting a task or activity.

require to perform

Replace "request" with "require", suggesting a formal request, and "do" with "perform", suggesting a task or activity.

demand to execute

Substitutes "request" with "demand", indicating a stronger insistence, and "do" with "execute", implying a more forceful action.

appeal to undertake

Uses "appeal" instead of "request", suggesting a plea or earnest asking, and "undertake" in place of "do", implying a commitment to start something.

appeal for undertaking

Changes the structure to emphasize the act of appealing for someone to undertake an action.

solicitation to complete

Replaces "request" with "solicitation", suggesting a formal asking, and "do" with "complete", indicating the action needs to be finished.

petition to accomplish

Substitutes "request" with "petition", highlighting a formal written request, and "do" with "accomplish", implying achieving a specific result.

plea for action

This is a more concise and emotive alternative, using "plea" to convey urgency and directness

invite to carry out

Uses "invite" instead of "request", suggesting a friendly request, and "carry out" in place of "do", implying a comprehensive execution.

FAQs

How can I use "request to do" in a sentence?

You can use "request to do" to indicate a formal asking for something to be done. For example: "The committee issued a "request to do" a full audit of the company's finances." or "The teacher sent a "request to do" extra credit to the students that needed it most".

What are some alternatives to "request to do"?

Some alternatives to "request to do" include "application to perform", "demand to execute", or "appeal to undertake", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "requesting to do" grammatically correct as an alternative to "request to do"?

While "requesting to do" might sound similar, "request to do" is generally preferred in formal writing. "Requesting to do" can sound slightly less direct and may be perceived as less grammatically standard.

When is it appropriate to use "request to do" over a more informal phrasing?

"Request to do" is best used in formal or professional contexts where a clear and direct request is needed. In casual conversation, phrases like "ask to do" or "want to do" might be more appropriate.