"Request for" versus "request" - rules of usage?

Question

Hi guys, just a point I'd like to clarify which was brought up at a seminar I attended regarding the drafting of legal documents.

From my understanding, I've always thought that when a "request" (used as a verb) is made for an object, the sentence should be in the form "request + for + object", i.e., "request" must be followed by the preposition "for".

Take for example:

(1) "He requested for a form."
=> Where "form" = object
OR
(2) "He requested for a speedy resolution of the matter."
=> "speedy resolution of the matter" = object
OR
(3) "He requested for an extension of the deadline."
=> "extension of the deadline" = object
=> Conversely, you could take "extension" as the object and "of the deadline" as a modifier/adjunct. Likewise for example (2)

It is only in the case of sub-clauses that the preposition "for" is omitted, such as:

(4) "He requested that immediate action be taken"
==> "that immediate action be taken" = subordinate clause, where the verb in the main clause is "requested".

The problem is at the seminar I attended, I was told that the following sentence is WRONG: "He requested for an adjournment".

According to the lecturer, "for" should be omitted, such that the correct sentence should read: "He requested an adjournment".

Now it's pretty clear to me that "an adjournment" is a noun acting as the object in this clause, so why do we drop the "for"? Did the lecturer make a mistake? Or have I been completely off-track all along? In this case, "He requested an adjournment" actually sounds fine to me, but not when I apply this same rule to the example (2) or (3) above:

"He requested a speedy resolution of the matter."

> Sounds odd.
"He requested an extension of the deadline".

> Sounds odd.

I've been repeating example (1) over and over again so I can't even tell which version (with or without the "for") sounds more correct anymore!

Help anyone?

Nona the brit · Accepted Answer

To me, all your examples with 'for' sound very odd indeed.

The only time I would use 'for' with request would be as follows:

He made a request for a form. (otherwise 'he requested a form' without any 'for').

He made a request for an extension to the deadline (otherwise 'He requested an extension of the deadline').

So when 'request' is a noun it is used with 'for' but when it is a verb it is used without.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

From my understanding, I've always thought that when a "request" (used as a verb) is made for an object, the sentence should be in the form "request + for + object", i.e., "request" must be followed by the preposition "for".

'Request' is a transitive verb. No 'for' should be used. eg 'He requested a form'. Perhaps you are being misled by the noun 'request', where you would use 'for', eg 'He made a request for a form'.

The problem is at the seminar I attended, I was told that the following sentence is WRONG: "He requested for an adjournment". Drefinitely wrong

Did the lecturer make a mistake? No

"He requested a speedy resolution of the matter." ==> Sounds odd. No, it's correct
"He requested an extension of the deadline". ==> Sounds odd. No, it's correct

Best wishes, Clive

Goodman · Answer

AnonymousHi guys, just a point I'd like to clarify which was brought up at a seminar I attended regarding the drafting of legal documents.

From my understanding, I've always thought that when a "request" (used as a verb) is made for an object, the sentence should be in the form "request + for + object", i.e., "request" must be followed by the preposition "for".

Take for example:

(1) "He requested for a form."
=> Where "form" = object
OR
(2) "He requested for a speedy resolution of the matter."
=> "speedy resolution of the matter" = object
OR
(3) "He requested for an extension of the deadline."
=> "extension of the deadline" = object
=> Conversely, you could take "extension" as the object and "of the deadline" as a modifier/adjunct. Likewise for example (2)

It is only in the case of sub-clauses that the preposition "for" is omitted, such as:

(4) "He requested that immediate action be taken"
==> "that immediate action be taken" = subordinate clause, where the verb in the main clause is "requested".

The problem is at the seminar I attended, I was told that the following sentence is WRONG: "He requested for an adjournment".

According to the lecturer, "for" should be omitted, such that the correct sentence should read: "He requested an adjournment".

Now it's pretty clear to me that "an adjournment" is a noun acting as the object in this clause, so why do we drop the "for"? Did the lecturer make a mistake? Or have I been completely off-track all along? In this case, "He requested an adjournment" actually sounds fine to me, but not when I apply this same rule to the example (2) or (3) above:

"He requested a speedy resolution of the matter."
> Sounds odd.
"He requested an extension of the deadline".
> Sounds odd.

I've been repeating example (1) over and over again so I can't even tell which version (with or without the "for") sounds more correct anymore!

Help anyone?

Hi Anon,

My understanding with the word “request” is this. When we used [request] as a verb, it’s most likely in a subjunctive condition, i.e. “The HR manager over the phone requested that I submit a formal application for employment before the actual interview”.

John requested that everyone in the office come to his birthday party.

When [request] is used as a noun, the verb [made] is used along with it. Example:

John told me that he had made several requests to transfer out of his office in LA but received no answers.

Several requests [for ] / [to have] a new vending machine have been made by the employees but so far no response from the management.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

BTW, [request for], depending on the context, it's possibly correct. Google result: 2,100,000,000 for http://www.google.fr/url?sa=X&oi=dict&q=http://www.answers.com/request%26r%3D67

I think you need to be careful how you google on this matter. You need to do it in such a way that you get only the verb form. eg search for 'requested' versus 'requested for'.

There's really no doubt on the general structure. You request a beer. You don't request for a beer.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Or have I been completely off-track all along?

I'm sorry to say that there is no really charitable way to phrase this.
Yes.

The confusion seems to be between the verb and noun usage of request.

to request something = to make a request for something

Don't cry yourself to sleep over it. You'll get the hang of it before long.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for all the input guys!! I was indeed confused over the noun and verb usage of "request". What an *** I've been!! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>

Nona the brit · Answer

Don't feel embarassed about it. I'm sure your English gets better and better all the time. No-one is perfect.

Anonymous · Answer

I requested a http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/taxi for eight o'clock.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/request

She requested permission to film at the White House.
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/request_2

"Request for" versus "request" - rules of usage?

> Sounds odd.
"He requested an extension of the deadline".

Top answer

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Related Questions

"Request for" versus "request" - rules of usage?

> Sounds odd."He requested an extension of the deadline".

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions

> Sounds odd.
"He requested an extension of the deadline".