we were requested

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were requested" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone asked for something from the speaker or speaker's group. Example: We were requested to leave the premises as soon as possible.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"We were requested to take another look at the votes, so we did," said David Tucker, a lawyer for the canvassing board.

The New York Times

"We were requested to meet Maria Miller after complaints from David Cameron and Owen Paterson that calls were dropping," said one.

The Guardian - Tech

We were requested by the families of some of those detained to release our findings in an attempt to get governments and the United Nations to act to have them released.

The Guardian - Opinion

We've kept a dignified silence on it, as we were requested.

BBC

We were requested to allocate different roles to each team member by filling in personal assessment questionnaires to determine which jobs we were best suited to.

Science Magazine

For the flight requirements above, we were requested to have maximum payload of about 1 kg in a compact size that fits beneath the head part of the UAV.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"That is all we were requesting," said Wolff.

The Guardian - Film

Once we signed in, we were asked why we were requesting humanitarian asylum.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They told us that they could never do what we were requesting," Dr. Piccard said.

The New York Times

"We were requesting four years in state prison," Ramseyer said.

Los Angeles Times

When questioned on the matter in a press conference, Geir Haarde said: "We have not received the kind of support that we were requesting from our friends.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were requested" when you want to emphasize that an action was initiated by an external request, adding a layer of formality and objectivity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice, including phrases like "we were requested", as it can make your writing sound weak or evasive. Consider using active voice where appropriate to make your sentences more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were requested" primarily functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject ("we") received a request from an external source to perform a specific action. This usage is supported by Ludwig, confirming the grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were requested" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that an action was taken following an external request. As validated by Ludwig, its passive construction often appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, consider that, even though grammatically correct, the passive voice can sometimes dilute the impact of your writing. Therefore, choose this construction when it's important to emphasize that action resulted from an external request rather than internal volition. Alternatives include "we received a request" or simply rephrasing the sentence in the active voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were asked

Simplifies the sentence, making it more direct and less formal.

we received a request

Changes the focus from being acted upon to receiving an action, implying a formal request was made.

a request was made to us

Rephrases the sentence to highlight the request itself rather than the action taken.

it was requested of us

Emphasizes the act of requesting and can be used to add a formal tone.

we were prompted

Indicates that someone or something encouraged or initiated the request.

we were instructed

Suggests a more authoritative command or direction than a simple request.

we were directed

Similar to 'instructed', but can imply a less formal or stringent directive.

we were called upon

Implies a sense of duty or responsibility in responding to the request.

we had a requisition

Uses a more formal noun to convey the sense of the action, suitable in business context.

we were solicited

Suggests the request was actively sought, often implying persuasion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were requested" to sound more direct?

You can use more active alternatives such as "we received a request", "we were asked", or specify who made the request (e.g., "the manager requested that we…").

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "we were requested"?

The phrase is suitable in formal reports, business communications, or any situation where you want to emphasize the external source of a directive or action. It is useful to show that you acted upon someone else's initiative.

Is "we were requested to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we were requested to" is grammatically correct. It follows the passive voice construction where "we" are the recipients of the action (being requested), and "to" introduces the infinitive verb that follows.

What's the difference between "we were requested" and "we were required"?

"We were requested" implies that a suggestion or appeal was made, while "we were required" suggests that something was mandatory or obligatory. The former carries a softer, less forceful connotation than the latter.