was requested to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was requested to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about someone asking someone else to do something. For example: "The professor was requested to provide additional information about the research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Specific consent was requested to the patient whose image is reported in the present paper.

BMC Nephrology

In 1187 he was requested to compile the Senzaishū.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then she was requested to attend an interview under caution on 14 April.

The Guardian

"I went above and beyond what I was requested to do".

The New Yorker

A $5 entry fee was requested to finance the announcements for next year's meet.

The New York Times

"Mark Arbib did not do it when he was requested to do so by the environment references committee.

The Guardian

Henry Schaakenberg was requested to invite the radical group to hang their work in the 102nd Annual show.

The New Yorker

When he walked off the West Course after his own mediocre 72, Westwood was requested to undertake a drugs test.

Independent

"When they did not reply for a long time, the Government Cyber Security Cell was requested to initiate action".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The facilitator was requested to assist with identifying knowledgeable participants for the focus group interviews.

BMC Medical Education

After approval, each unit was requested to include a senior manager and a front line manager.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was requested to", ensure the subject receiving the request is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. This passive construction works best when the requester is less important than the receiver of the request.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "was requested to". While grammatically correct, excessive use can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider rephrasing to an active voice where appropriate, such as "They requested him to..." for stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was requested to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone received a request or instruction. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its common usage in academic, news, and formal contexts, showing how individuals or entities are prompted to perform specific actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was requested to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates someone received a request or instruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used across various writing registers, particularly in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "was asked to", it often suggests a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by identifying the subject receiving the request. Balance its use with active voice constructions for engaging and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was asked to

A more direct and common synonym indicating a simple request.

was required to

Implies a necessity or obligation to perform a task.

was instructed to

Suggests a formal command or direction.

was directed to

Similar to "was instructed to", but can also imply guidance.

was authorized to

Indicates permission or empowerment to do something.

was delegated to

A task or responsibility was assigned to someone.

was commissioned to

Formally tasked to create or perform something specific.

was appointed to

Assigned a role or duty officially.

was called upon to

Asked to fulfill a duty or task, often in a formal setting.

was invited to

Requested to participate in an event or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "was requested to" in a sentence?

Use "was requested to" when you want to describe an action someone was asked to perform, emphasizing the receiver of the request. For instance, "The patient "was requested to get his catheter changed" more frequently" or "Each participant "was requested to participate in a semi-structured interview"".

What's the difference between "was requested to" and "was asked to"?

While both phrases indicate a request, "was requested to" often implies a slightly more formal or official context compared to the more general "was asked to". The subtle difference lies in the perceived level of formality and authority behind the request.

What are some alternatives to using "was requested to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was required to" (if it was a necessity), "was instructed to" (if it was a formal direction), or simply "was asked to" for a more general request.

Is it always better to use the active voice instead of "was requested to"?

Not always. While active voice often makes writing more direct, passive constructions like "was requested to" are useful when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the recipient of the action. However, overuse can weaken your writing, so aim for a balance.