unexpected request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpected request" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a request that is surprising or not anticipated. Example: "I received an unexpected request from my manager to present at the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

SHORTLY before he died of cancer in January, the designer Charles Nolan made an unexpected request.

The New York Times

When Reprieve attorney Cori Crider met her youngest client, 19-year-old Mohammed el Gharani, before his release from Guantánamo Bay in 2009, he made an unexpected request.

The Guardian - Opinion

After thousands took to the streets outside the Kremlin to protest against the sentence, the prosecution made an unexpected request to release the opposition leader from police custody during the appeal process, and Navalny returned to Moscow to continue his mayoral campaign.

The Guardian

In one corner of the space a study had been meticulously built, complete with knickknacks, books and, at the slightly unexpected request of Black, a menorah.

Los Angeles Times

I have witnessed similar reactions in parish clergy, visibly inconvenienced by the unexpected request of some elderly parishioner to 'confess' before Mass.

Huffington Post

After my full-time commitment saw Slawsa placed in over 4,000 stores nationally, I got the unexpected request to buy out the equity from my former partner.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Some unexpected requests are part of the job and are truly important, but most aren't urgent, important, or even relevant to our work.

Harvard Business Review

When you've already practiced these expected interactions, your stress level will be manageable and can even provide the remaining energy needed for the unexpected requests that come out of left field and require you to think on your feet.

Harvard Business Review

You'll be faced with unexpected requests when you least expect it, either in person, by email or an off-the-wall phone call.

Forbes

Take this time to let the other bridesmaids know about your personal budget restrictions and how much you can contribute to a bachelorette party, a joint shower gift or any unexpected requests that may arise.

Forbes

And when we asked our trusty readers whom they'd nominate to lead the city, we got some unexpected requests... and even a few conspiracy theories.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unexpected request", consider providing context to explain why the request was unexpected to enhance clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "unexpected request" repeatedly without explaining why it was unexpected. This can leave the reader wondering about the specific circumstances and reduce the impact of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected request" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "unexpected" modifies the noun "request". It describes the type of request being made, emphasizing its surprising or unanticipated nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unexpected request" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes a demand or requirement that was not anticipated. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage across various contexts. While "unexpected request" appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, its communicative purpose remains consistent: to highlight the element of surprise associated with the request. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify why the request was unexpected to enhance clarity for the reader. Alternatives such as ""surprise request"" or "unanticipated request" can be used to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprise request

Emphasizes the element of surprise associated with the request.

unanticipated request

Highlights that the request was not foreseen or expected.

unforeseen demand

Focuses on the sudden and unpredictable nature of the demand.

surprise demand

Similar to surprise request but emphasizes the nature of "demand" rather than "request".

sudden request

Highlights the abruptness and immediacy of the request.

surprise inquiry

Highlights the unexpected nature of an official question.

unheralded request

Suggests the request came without any prior indication or warning.

unpredicted ask

More informal, emphasizes the inability to predict the request.

chance request

It highlights the accidental or coincidental nature of the demand.

out-of-the-blue request

Colloquial phrase emphasizing the unexpected and sudden nature of the request.

FAQs

How can I use "unexpected request" in a sentence?

You can use "unexpected request" to describe a demand or requirement that was not anticipated. For example: "The manager's "surprise request" for a weekend report disrupted everyone's plans."

What is a more formal alternative to "unexpected request"?

A more formal alternative could be "unanticipated request" or "unforeseen demand", depending on the context.

Is "unexpected request" grammatically correct?

Yes, "unexpected request" is grammatically correct. "Unexpected" is an adjective modifying the noun "request". It is perfectly acceptable in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "unexpected request" and "unusual request"?

"Unexpected request" emphasizes the surprise element, meaning it wasn't anticipated. "Unusual request" highlights that the request is out of the ordinary or atypical.