were requested to

USAGE SUMMARY

"were requested to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used in passive voice sentences to convey that someone was asked or required to do something. Example: The employees were requested to attend a mandatory training session next week. In this sentence, the phrase "were requested to" indicates that the employees were asked to attend the training session. This phrase can also be used in active voice sentences, such as "He requested that I help him with his project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Subjects were requested to perform rapid knee extension with vertical jumping.

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology

Five years later, sellers of the Suffragette were requested to "dress themselves in their smartest clothes".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The findings were requested to be released by the US department of Health and Human services.

Princeton University

Participants were requested to passively view a 60-second video of ocean waves.

Nature

Females were requested to use effective contraception.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Eleven subjects were requested to walk past nine cameras.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The participants were requested to not directly compare the images.

Progress in Orthodontics

The participants were requested to fill a questionnaire.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Participants were requested to respond to three surveys.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Additionally, informants were requested to evaluate the survey.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Having initially submitted documents, they were requested to send "further documentation" by Monday.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were requested to", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the request and why. This enhances clarity and provides necessary background information.

Common error

While "were requested to" is grammatically sound, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction if appropriate, such as "The manager requested the team to submit their reports".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were requested to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received a request or instruction. It's commonly used to report actions initiated by someone else, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were requested to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction used to communicate that a request was made. According to Ludwig's analysis, the expression is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts, while also being suitable for formal or professional settings. While the phrase is perfectly acceptable, consider rephrasing with active voice when appropriate in order to have a direct and clearer meaning in your writings. Pay attention to alternative phrasing like ""were asked to"" or "were required to" based on the desired level of formality or the strength of the instruction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were asked to

This is a direct synonym, replacing "requested" with the more common "asked".

were required to

Implies a stronger sense of obligation or necessity compared to "requested".

were instructed to

Suggests a formal or official directive.

had been asked to

Changes the tense to past perfect, emphasizing that the request happened before a specific point in time.

were directed to

Similar to "instructed", but can also imply guidance or navigation.

were expected to

Emphasizes anticipation or a sense of obligation based on expectations.

were advised to

Indicates a recommendation or suggestion, rather than a demand.

were called upon to

Indicates a formal request or appeal, often for a specific duty.

were encouraged to

Suggests a positive prompting or persuasion.

were prompted to

Implies a stimulus or cue leading to an action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "Participants were requested to complete the survey"?

You could say "Participants "were asked to" complete the survey", or "We requested that participants complete the survey", or "Participants were expected to complete the survey" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "were requested to"?

Using the active voice, such as "The organization requested members to vote", can often be more direct and concise than the passive form "Members "were requested to" vote".

What is the difference between "were requested to" and "were required to"?

"Were requested to" implies a polite or formal request, while "were required to" suggests a mandatory action or obligation. The latter carries a stronger sense of necessity.

Can "were requested to" be used in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, ""were requested to"" can sound slightly formal for casual contexts. In informal writing, consider using "were asked to" or a more conversational phrasing.