we earnestly request

USAGE SUMMARY

"we earnestly request" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when making a formal request for something. For example: "We earnestly request your presence at the upcoming school board meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even the stewards are extravagantly nice, and a notice in the festival bookshop reads more like an apology than a warning: "We earnestly request you to pay before leaving".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I earnestly request the police to protect my family, and not allow them to come under further outside harassment".

Independent

We have, however, succeeded in securing the friendship of the Governors of the frontier states and are now on the eve of incurring the their enmity, on account of the band of robbers who are permitted to abuse the Hospitality of Texas … I earnestly request the Department to appoint a person to succeed me who may have more influence … with the military at Brownsville.

The New York Times

"The Russian Soccer Union and national team earnestly request that all genuine fans work to prevent the provocations of hooligans and cooperate fully with the organizers of matches in questions of security," the Russian Soccer Union said in a statement this week.

The New York Times - Sports

I earnestly request everyone to return to their families," Li said in his first public comments on the protests.

Huffington Post

And if you have wronged other people (as opposed to God), repentance requires that you personally approach those you've wronged to earnestly request forgiveness, or the Yom Kippur holiday is powerless to grant atonement on behalf of God.

Huffington Post

Good behavior is expected in return, and the only written instruction is the gentle admonishment, "Visitors are earnestly requested not to take away any of the exhibits".

The New York Times

Vatican sources said the pope decided the candidate should be "earnestly requested" to resign only late on Saturday, after reading a dossier that had apparently been sent from Warsaw in late December.

The Economist

If life, limb or the chances of ever being employed are at risk, or if one's opinion has been earnestly requested, okay -- but even then, it's important to emphasize the positive aspects of the outfit, haircut, project or latest friend, and tread carefully with the negative.

Huffington Post

The Vatican confirmed the announcement in its own one-sentence statement, citing a church canon that "earnestly" requests the resignation of a bishop "who has become less able to fulfill his office because of ill health or some other grave cause".

The New York Times

We are not living in denial … but we owe it to our [loved] ones not to declare them lost without 100% certainty!" The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "We request that the Malaysian side earnestly implement its relevant commitments, continue to investigate the cause of the plane crash … and earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the families of the passengers".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we earnestly request" in situations where you want to convey sincerity and formality, such as official correspondence or when addressing someone in a position of authority. This phrase is more impactful than a simple "we ask".

Common error

Avoid using "we earnestly request" in casual or informal contexts. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural or even pretentious. Reserve it for situations that truly warrant a high level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we earnestly request" functions as a performative utterance, specifically used to make a formal and emphatic request. It is designed to persuade the recipient to consider the request with due seriousness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we earnestly request" is a formal and emphatic way to make a request, suitable for situations demanding sincerity and respect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in news, formal correspondence, and scientific publications. While effective in formal settings, overusing it can sound unnatural in casual contexts. Alternatives such as "we sincerely request" or "we respectfully request" offer similar levels of formality. Remember to reserve "we earnestly request" for situations where its gravitas is truly warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we sincerely request

Replaces "earnestly" with "sincerely" maintaining a similar level of formality.

we respectfully request

Highlights respect and consideration in the request.

we formally request

Emphasizes the official nature of the request.

we humbly ask

Emphasizes deference and politeness more strongly.

we urgently request

Indicates a need for prompt action or attention.

we appeal

Short, direct, and suitable for serious matters.

we solicit

Common in business or formal contexts when asking for something.

we implore you to

Adds a sense of desperation or urgency.

we entreat you to

Formal and persuasive, implying a deep desire.

we beseech you to

Very formal and somewhat archaic.

FAQs

What does "we earnestly request" mean?

The phrase "we earnestly request" is a formal way of saying that a group is making a sincere and serious request. The word "earnestly" adds emphasis to the request, highlighting its importance.

When is it appropriate to use "we earnestly request"?

It is appropriate in formal settings, such as when writing to authorities, making official announcements, or in business correspondence where a serious request needs to be conveyed with sincerity. Consider using alternative phrases in informal contexts.

Are there synonyms for "we earnestly request"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "we sincerely request", "we humbly ask", or "we respectfully request" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

How is "we earnestly request" different from "we request"?

Adding "earnestly" intensifies the request, conveying a deeper sense of sincerity and importance compared to a simple "we request". The phrase "we request" is more neutral, while "we earnestly request" emphasizes the seriousness and sincerity behind the request.