requisition

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "requisition" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the action of asking or demanding something, usually formally. For example, "The department head sent a requisition to the finance office for additional funds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oddest were the days we set off in David Astor's Bentley which she managed to requisition, together with Jimmy the uniformed chauffeur.

The Guardian - Arts

Konstantin Simonov, its author, was part of the first generation to grow up with the Soviet system's mock classroom trials, playground games of "search and requisition", and the "cult of struggle" inherited from the civil war.

The Economist

In the village of Maxinzhuang in Shunyi, one of Beijing's rural districts, hundreds of peasants have been protesting for the past month over compensation for the requisition of their land to build a water-sports complex for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

The Economist

China's prime minister, Wen Jiabao, said that failure to curb the requisition of farmland could have "very serious" consequences and lead to growing numbers of landless and jobless peasants.A pervasive urban fear in China of a deluge of rural poor descending on the cities is exacerbating these concerns.

The Economist

In China the state would just requisition the land, and let farmers go hang.

The Economist

They requisition food and petrol at the barrel of a gun.

The Economist

According to a government requisition act of 1999, this land belonged to them and to the poor blacks of Zimbabwe.Mr Campbell offered them a shed to sleep in; he didn't want them chopping down his trees to build their huts.

The Economist

Asbestos to insulate the ships was deemed a vital war material, and naval officials tightly controlled the mineral's distribution, ordering it delivered to government specifications, using powers of requisition to direct its purchase from private companies, and stockpiling the results at the government's General Services Administration facility at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Economist

During the inflation of the 3rd century ad the Roman government supplied court and army employees by ordering the requisition, or by compulsory purchase (indictio), of food and clothing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Civil War caused the Bolsheviks to adopt a more severe economic policy known as War Communism, characterized chiefly by the expropriation of private business and industry and the forced requisition of grain and other food products from the peasants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A Welsh-English dictionary by William Salesbury in 1547 brought another language into requisition: A Dictionary in English and Welsh.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting formal documents, use "requisition" to indicate a formal written request, especially for supplies or services. Be specific about the items or services requested and the reasons for the request.

Common error

Avoid using "requisition" when a simple request is sufficient. "Requisition" implies a formal process, often within an organizational or governmental context. A casual ask doesn't warrant such formal terminology.

Linguistic Context

The word "requisition" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a formal request or demand, especially by an authority. It can also function as a verb, meaning to demand or take something for official use. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academic

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "requisition" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to describe a formal request or demand, often within organizational or governmental settings. It can also function as a verb, meaning to demand or take something for official use. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in formal, professional, and news contexts. The term appears frequently in authoritative sources such as The Guardian, The Economist, and The New York Times. When using "requisition", ensure the context aligns with a formal process and that a simpler "request" isn't more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formal request

Focuses on the act of asking officially, omitting the potential for demand or seizure implied by "requisition".

official order

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the request, implying a level of compliance.

formal demand

Highlights the forceful nature of the request, suitable when compliance is expected.

compulsory purchase

Refers to the act of buying something because you are forced to do it by law.

commandeering

Implies a forceful taking, especially for military purposes.

appropriation

Refers to taking something for one's own use, often without permission or proper justification.

seizure

Indicates taking possession of something, often by force or legal authority.

application for

Emphasizes the process of formally applying for something.

claim

Highlights asserting a right or title to something.

procurement

Focuses on the process of obtaining goods or services.

FAQs

How to use "requisition" in a sentence?

The word "requisition" can be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to a formal request, such as "The department submitted a "requisition form" for new equipment." As a verb, it means to formally demand or take something, especially for official use, as in "The army may "requisition supplies" from local businesses during a crisis."

What can I say instead of "requisition"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "formal request", "official order", "demand", or "procurement". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the formality, the authoritative nature, or the acquisition process.

What's the difference between "requisition" and "request"?

"Requisition" implies a formal, often bureaucratic process of ordering or demanding something, especially within an organization or government. A "request" is a more general term for asking for something and may not involve a formal procedure.

When is it appropriate to use the word "requisition"?

It's appropriate to use the word "requisition" when referring to a formal demand or request made by an authority, such as a government or organization, especially for resources or services. For example, "The governor signed a "requisition warrant" for the extradition of the suspect."