to request help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to request help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask for assistance or support in various contexts, such as in emails, formal letters, or conversations. Example: "I would like to request help with my project, as I am facing some challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"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

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

The New York Times

A month later, she met with Robert Young, a private investigator, to request help with her "backup plan".

The New Yorker

And countries benefiting from the interventions have first to request help and sign up to eurozone austerity terms.

The Guardian - Business

She has two emergency distress beacons to request help from nearby ships if something goes catastrophically wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

He said it was the "primary responsibility" of the new government of Libya to request help from the UN if it wanted it.

Independent

Some analysts doubt whether the program could be deployed quickly in a crisis, since it requires countries to request help and agree to economic reforms and other conditions.

The New York Times

The agency is also working on modernizing the 911 system to include texting, video and other types of information that can be used to request help.

The New York Times

He said he planned to visit several neighboring countries, including Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to request help.

The New York Times

A high rate of suicide among our troops led Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez to request help from a "mental health advisory team".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using synonyms like "to request assistance" or "to solicit support" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Instead of saying "Help needs to be requested", use the active voice: "Someone needs to request help". Active voice is generally clearer and more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to request help" functions as an infinitive phrase that often serves as the purpose or reason behind an action. It indicates the intention to seek assistance. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to request help" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express the act of seeking assistance or support. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like ""to request assistance"" may be preferred in professional settings. Be mindful of using active voice for clarity and directness, and consider the specific nuance you wish to convey when selecting synonyms such as "to appeal for help" or "to solicit support".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ask for assistance

Replaces "help" with the more formal "assistance".

to seek aid

Uses "aid" instead of "help", implying a more urgent or critical need.

to call for assistance

Implies a public or broadcasted request for help.

to appeal for help

Suggests a more emotional or urgent request.

to solicit support

Emphasizes the act of actively seeking encouragement or backing.

to apply for support

Suggests a formal process of asking for help.

to turn to for help

Indicates reliance on a specific person or entity for assistance.

to require assistance

Highlights the necessity of help rather than the act of asking.

to seek guidance

Focuses on asking for direction or advice rather than direct help.

to ask for a hand

An informal way of requesting assistance.

FAQs

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

You can use "to request help" to describe the action of asking for assistance. For example, "The government needs "to request aid" from international organizations".

What is a formal alternative to "to request help"?

A formal alternative is "to request assistance". This is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What does it mean "to solicit support"?

To solicit support is similar "to request help" but implies actively seeking encouragement or backing from others.

When should I use "to appeal for help"?

Use "to appeal for help" when you want to emphasize the urgency or emotional nature of the request.