requesting something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "requesting something" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to express the act of asking for something. Example: "She is requesting something from the manager." Alternative expressions include "asking for something" and "seeking something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

William Major is requesting something much less extreme of his students.

The New Yorker

Someone would write him requesting something, and he would turn that letter over and write his directive.

The New York Times

And if you can say you've appropriately counseled the person and they're requesting something, you had better do it.

The New York Times

But, if you have a good sense of market norms and you're not requesting something outlandish, that's a mistake.

Harvard Business Review

"Yes, yes, stock characters in miniature art-world dramas, we're pretentious creatures in intellectual fashion and high heels, dripping with attitude and sarcasm, rolling our eyes at visitors requesting something as mundane as the price list.

The New York Times - Books

"The bishops are aware they are requesting something that will have to be exceptional law in this country, meaning that it is an exception from the law of the rest of the church," Monsignor Maniscalco said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Most people request something light.

The New York Times - Books

The conductor requested something "more bell-like".

The New York Times

The idea for the piece came from Mr. Maazel, who requested something rhapsodic.

The New York Times - Arts

Or, explore the catalog of IT services and request something you need.

Stanford University

Now, let's use AJAX to request something on another page.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional emails, follow this phrase immediately with a colon or a qualifying clause (e.g. "...requesting something specific: a timeline update") to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "requesting something" as a permanent placeholder in formal reports. If you know exactly what is needed, it is always stronger to replace "something" with the specific noun, such as "requesting documentation" or "requesting permission".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "requesting something" functions as a gerund phrase or a present participle phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or a preposition, or provides additional information about a subject's actions. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears after verbs of communication or as part of a descriptive clause.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

11%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "requesting something" is a robust and grammatically sound construction confirmed by Ludwig AI as highly usable in professional English. It strikes a balance between formality and functional clarity, making it a staple in journalism, business correspondence and academic writing. While the word "something" acts as a general pronoun, the phrase is most effective when the surrounding context provides specific details. Whether you are requesting something mundane like a price list or something significant like a policy change, this phrase maintains a respectful and clear tone across all high-authority sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asking for something

More informal and common in spoken English

seeking something

Implies a more active search or pursuit

soliciting something

Often used in professional or fundraising contexts

requesting a favor

Narrows the scope to a personal or social act of kindness

petitioning for something

Suggests a formal or collective request to an authority

calling for something

Usually implies a public or urgent demand

applying for something

Specific to formal processes like jobs or permits

inquiring about something

Focuses more on the act of asking for information

ordering something

Specific to commercial transactions or authoritative commands

demanding something

Much stronger and more assertive than requesting

FAQs

How to use "requesting something" in a sentence?

You can use it as a gerund phrase or participle. For example: "She sent a letter requesting something unusual" or "By requesting something small first, you may have more success later."

What is the difference between "requesting something" and "asking for something"?

The primary difference is formality. "requesting something" is formal and professional, whereas "asking for something" is the standard neutral choice for daily conversation.

Can I use "requesting something" in a formal email?

Yes, it is highly appropriate. However, for better impact, consider being more specific by using phrases like "requesting assistance" or "requesting clarification".

What are formal synonyms for "requesting something"?

Strong formal alternatives include "seeking something", "soliciting something" or "petitioning" depending on the context.