request

To "request" something is to ask for it. It’s used in formal situations, but you can use it for ordinary situations as well.

These sentences demonstrate "request" as a verb:

• Svetlana requested some time off from work next week.
• I’m going to request the city to fix the street in front of my house.
• Stan might have to request an extension of his unemployment benefits.
• The company is requesting its employees to wear protective goggles while working with this dangerous material.

These sentences show how "request" is used as a noun:

• They played some old songs at the wedding at the request of the newlyweds.
• This was done at their request.
• If there is a video you’d like your teacher to make for online instruction, email your request.
• I’d like to make a request. Could you please turn your cell phones off when you are in the classroom?

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This page was first published on February 22, 2012.