surprise request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprise request" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an unexpected or unanticipated request made by someone. Example: "I received a surprise request from my manager to present at the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He and one of his top party officials, Cheam Channy, were pardoned by King Norodom Sihamoni on Sunday after a surprise request from Prime Minister Hun Sen. In December, Mr. Sam Rainsy was sentenced in absentia to 18 months in prison for criminally defaming the prime minister.

The New York Times

These are often disguised as a new career prospect, an opportunity to step up at work, a surprise request from a friend, or any type of unfamiliar challenge.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But to his and Blumsohn's surprise, their request was turned down.

The Guardian

He said that he was not surprised the request for a fund-raiser by Ari Emanuel was denied, and that it was no longer on his mind in August 2006 when he was asked about releasing the grant for the school.

The New York Times

After a summer of frenzied speculation, big-money moves, surprise transfer requests and unsuccessful bids, the transfer window in England finally closes at 23:00 BST on Monday, 2 September.

BBC

Now, with Mr. Obama's surprise decision to request Congressional authorization for a Syria strike, the political casualties are mounting quickly.

The New York Times

After Maclean was posted to the British embassy in Paris in 1938, he was so crazy about Harris that he asked Moscow if she could come, too; to their surprise, the lovers' request was granted.

The Guardian

To everyone's surprise, simply by request, it became and stayed at number one at the station in June and July.

Huffington Post

The whole "Modern Family" crew came together, much to Cam's surprise, at the request of Mitchell's ex-boyfriend, Teddy.

Huffington Post

I was pleasantly surprised that my request was quickly approved.

The New York Times

Speaking exclusively to The Independent on Sunday this weekend, Jane said she wasn't surprised by the request.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surprise request" to emphasize the unexpected nature of a demand or inquiry, particularly when the timing or content is unanticipated. It adds a layer of unexpectedness to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "surprise request" excessively in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "unexpected request" might be more appropriate. Consider the audience and the tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprise request" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "surprise" modifies the noun "request". The Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surprise request" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes an unexpected demand or inquiry. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone of your writing. In highly formal settings, alternatives like "unexpected request" might be more suitable. Remember, the key is to convey the element of unexpectedness effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected request

Replaces "surprise" with its direct synonym, emphasizing the lack of anticipation.

sudden request

Focuses on the abruptness of the request, similar to "surprise".

unforeseen request

Highlights that the request could not have been predicted.

unanticipated request

Similar to "unexpected", stressing the lack of prior expectation.

out-of-the-blue request

Informal expression for something happening unexpectedly.

astonishing request

Emphasizes the surprising nature of the request due to its unusual content.

startling request

Highlights the element of shock or alarm associated with the request.

unconventional request

Focuses on the request being outside the norm or typical expectations.

novel request

Stresses the new or unusual nature of the demand.

peculiar request

Indicates that the request is odd or strange, thus surprising.

FAQs

What does "surprise request" mean?

A "surprise request" is a demand or inquiry that is unexpected or unanticipated. It implies that the person receiving the request was not expecting it.

What can I say instead of "surprise request"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected request", "sudden request", or "unforeseen request" depending on the context.

Is "surprise request" formal or informal?

"Surprise request" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although "unexpected request" might be preferred in more formal settings.

How do you use "surprise request" in a sentence?

You might say, "I received a "surprise request" from my manager to lead the new project," indicating that you didn't anticipate being asked.